Signer Identification Methods Flashcards
7 cards from real Colorado Notary Exam practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Signer Identification Methods flashcards as text
A signer presents a document that appears to be an altered government-issued ID. What is a Colorado notary's proper course of action?
Answer: Refuse to perform the notarial act and, if appropriate, report suspected fraud
A notary who suspects an ID has been altered cannot consider it satisfactory evidence of identity and should refuse the act; reporting suspected fraud may also be appropriate.
Which information about signer identification should a Colorado notary record in their journal?
Answer: The type of ID presented, the ID number, and the date of issuance or expiration
Colorado notary journals should record the method of identification and details such as the ID type, number, and relevant dates for each notarial act.
What is the legal definition of 'satisfactory evidence of identity' under Colorado's Notaries Public Act?
Answer: Evidence that reasonably identifies the individual, including personal knowledge, a qualifying government-issued ID, or a credible witness
Colorado's RULONA defines satisfactory evidence of identity as personal knowledge, a qualifying government document with photo and signature, or an oath from a credible witness.
A signer tells a Colorado notary they lost their ID but offers to show their face and state their name. Can the notary proceed?
Answer: No, unless the notary has independent personal knowledge of the signer or a credible witness is available
Without a qualifying ID, the only other lawful paths are the notary's personal knowledge of the signer or a credible witness — verbal self-identification alone is not enough.
Why is it important for a Colorado notary to record the signer's identification details in the notary journal even when not strictly required by statute?
Answer: To create an evidentiary record that protects the notary if the identification is later disputed
Detailed journal records of identification provide crucial evidence of the notary's due diligence if the signing is ever challenged in court or investigated for fraud.
A signer presents a tribal identification card issued by a federally recognized Native American tribe. Is this acceptable in Colorado?
Answer: Yes, a current tribal ID with photo and signature constitutes satisfactory evidence of identity
Colorado recognizes identification documents issued by federally recognized tribes as qualifying government-issued IDs when they bear the signer's photo and signature.
If a notary has personal knowledge of a signer's identity but the signer's appearance has changed significantly since they last met, what should the notary do?
Answer: Use judgment to determine whether their knowledge is still reliable, and request ID if uncertain
Personal knowledge must be reliable and current; if significant changes cast doubt, the notary should request additional identification or decline to proceed.