CA Notary Identification and Signer Verification 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A signer presents a tribal ID card issued by a federally recognized Native American tribe. Is this acceptable in California?
- No, tribal IDs are not government-issued and not acceptable
- Yes, IDs issued by a federally recognized tribe are acceptable under California law (Correct answer)
- Only if accompanied by a U.S. passport
- Only for notarizations on tribal land
Correct answer: Yes, IDs issued by a federally recognized tribe are acceptable under California law
California Government Code Section 8230 includes identification cards issued by federally recognized tribal governments as acceptable forms of ID.
Question 2: What should a California notary do if a signer's ID photograph does not closely resemble the signer?
- Accept the ID since it is government-issued
- Refuse to perform the notarization if the ID does not satisfactorily identify the signer (Correct answer)
- Ask the signer to provide a second ID only
- Call the issuing agency to verify the ID
Correct answer: Refuse to perform the notarization if the ID does not satisfactorily identify the signer
The notary must be satisfied that the ID sufficiently identifies the signer; if there is doubt because the photo does not resemble the signer, the notary should decline to notarize.
Question 3: Can a California notary accept a signed statement from the signer's employer as proof of identity?
- Yes, employer letters are widely accepted
- No, employer statements are not on California's list of acceptable identification (Correct answer)
- Only if the employer is a government agency
- Only for employment-related documents
Correct answer: No, employer statements are not on California's list of acceptable identification
California law specifies a defined list of acceptable ID documents, and employer statements are not included; the notary must use only listed forms of identification.
Question 4: How must a California notary identify a signer who uses a credible witness they personally know?
- Two witnesses are required even if the notary knows the signer
- One credible witness known to the notary who personally knows the signer is sufficient (Correct answer)
- The notary must also verify the signer's address
- The witness must provide two forms of ID
Correct answer: One credible witness known to the notary who personally knows the signer is sufficient
If the notary personally knows one credible witness and that witness personally knows the signer, one witness is sufficient to identify the signer.
Question 5: Which of the following is NOT an acceptable form of ID for a California notarization?
- U.S. passport card
- California DMV-issued ID card
- A recent utility bill with the signer's name and address (Correct answer)
- Canadian driver's license
Correct answer: A recent utility bill with the signer's name and address
A utility bill is not on California's statutory list of acceptable identification documents; it does not include a photograph and is not government-issued for identity purposes.
Question 6: What identifying information about the signer must a California notary record in their journal?
- Full name, address, and date of birth
- Signature, type of ID, ID number, and issuing agency/date of ID (Correct answer)
- Name, phone number, and employer
- Signature and a photocopy of the ID
Correct answer: Signature, type of ID, ID number, and issuing agency/date of ID
California's journal requirements include the signer's signature, the type of identification used, the ID number, and the issuing agency or date of issuance.
CA Notary Identification and Signer Verification 2
A signer presents a tribal ID card issued by a federally recognized Native American tribe.
Is this acceptable in California?