OH Notary - Ohio Notary Signer Identification Requirements Questions and Answers

Question 1

A signer appears before an Ohio notary with a government-issued identification card that expired two years ago. According to Ohio law, what is the notary's proper course of action?

Accepted Answer

Accept the identification as satisfactory evidence of identity.

Answer

Reject the identification as it is expired.

Answer

Require the signer to present a second, non-expired form of ID.

Answer

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

Question 2

Which of the following is NOT an acceptable method for an Ohio notary to identify a signer?

Accepted Answer

Reviewing a birth certificate and a Social Security card presented by the signer.

Answer

Personal knowledge of the signer.

Answer

Inspection of a valid Canadian driver's license with a photograph.

Answer

Verification on oath of a single credible witness who is personally known to the notary.

Question 3

A man requires a document to be notarized but has recently lost his wallet and has no form of identification. He brings his wife to the notarization, and the notary knows the wife personally. How can the notary legally identify the signer?

Accepted Answer

The wife can serve as a credible witness, taking an oath or affirmation to verify her husband's identity because she is personally known to the notary.

Answer

The notary cannot proceed as the signer has no identification.

Answer

The wife can present her ID and vouch for her husband's identity.

Answer

The notary can accept a sworn written statement from the husband attesting to his own identity.

Question 4

Under Ohio law, a notary has 'personal knowledge' of a signer's identity if:

Accepted Answer

The person is known to the notary through dealings sufficient to provide reasonable certainty of their identity.

Answer

The signer is a well-known public figure.

Answer

The signer has been introduced to the notary by a mutual friend.

Answer

The signer provides a notarized statement from another individual confirming their identity.

Question 5

A credible witness is used to identify a signer who lacks proper ID. Which of the following conditions must be met for the witness to be considered 'credible' in Ohio?

Accepted Answer

The witness must not have a financial or other interest in the transaction.

Answer

The witness must be related to the signer.

Answer

The witness must be an attorney or another notary public.

Answer

The witness must have known the signer for at least five years.

Question 6

When identifying a signer using a credible witness who is NOT personally known to the notary, the notary must identify the witness through what means?

Accepted Answer

A phone call to a third party to verify the witness's identity.

Answer

A sworn statement from the witness.

Answer

Two forms of non-photo identification.

Answer

A passport, driver's license, or other government-issued ID card that is current or expired not more than three years.