NNA Properly Identifying Signers Questions and Answers

Question 1

A signer presents a valid, state-issued driver's license.
The physical description on the ID lists the signer as having brown hair, but the person before you has blonde hair.
All other elements of the ID, including the photo and signature, appear to match the signer.
What is the appropriate course of action?

Accepted Answer

Proceed with the notarization, as hair color is a changeable feature and other elements match.

Answer

Reject the identification as it is not an exact match.

Answer

Require the signer to provide a second form of identification.

Answer

Contact the agency that issued the ID to verify the signer's identity.

Question 2

Which of the following is NOT one of the three primary methods for a Notary to identify a signer?

Accepted Answer

Verification through a signed affidavit from the signer's employer

Answer

Personal knowledge

Answer

Presentation of a government-issued identification card

Answer

Use of one or more credible identifying witnesses

Question 3

A signer does not have an acceptable form of identification. They bring a friend who has known them for ten years to serve as a credible identifying witness. The witness personally knows the signer but does not personally know the Notary. According to the laws of most states that allow this practice, what must the credible witness do?

Accepted Answer

Present their own satisfactory identification to the Notary.

Answer

Sign an affidavit stating they know the signer.

Answer

Nothing, their verbal confirmation is sufficient.

Answer

Bring a second witness who also knows the signer.

Question 4

In a state that has not adopted RULONA (Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts) and has no specific statute regarding expired IDs, a signer presents a driver's license that expired two months ago. What is the NNA-recommended best practice?

Accepted Answer

Refuse to accept the expired ID and request a current, valid form of identification.

Answer

Accept the ID since it only recently expired.

Answer

Accept the ID if the signer is elderly and no longer drives.

Answer

Proceed with the notarization but make a note in the journal that the ID was expired.

Question 5

All of the following are generally required elements for an acceptable, non-documentary form of identification EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

The bearer's residential address

Answer

A photograph

Answer

The bearer's signature

Answer

A physical description

Question 6

Under what circumstances may a Notary identify a signer through 'personal knowledge'?

Accepted Answer

When the Notary has a long-standing relationship with the signer sufficient to provide reasonable certainty of their identity.

Answer

When the signer is a well-known public figure.

Answer

When the Notary has met the signer once before at a community event.

Answer

When the signer can provide details about the Notary's family.