Colorado Notary Exam Signer Identification Methods 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A signer presents a driver's license that expired six months ago. What should a Colorado notary do?
- Accept it since the photo still matches
- Refuse to notarize and explain the ID must be current (Correct answer)
- Accept it if a second expired ID is also presented
- Accept it only for acknowledgments, not jurats
Correct answer: Refuse to notarize and explain the ID must be current
Colorado law requires identification documents to be current (not expired) to constitute satisfactory evidence of identity.
Question 2: Which of the following documents is acceptable for signer identification under Colorado notary law?
- An expired U.S. passport
- A current foreign passport (Correct answer)
- A library card with photo
- A social security card
Correct answer: A current foreign passport
A current foreign passport issued by a national government with the signer's photo and signature qualifies as satisfactory evidence of identity in Colorado.
Question 3: A signer presents only a credit card and a birth certificate. Can a Colorado notary proceed?
- Yes, two non-photo documents together are sufficient
- Yes, a birth certificate is a government document
- No, neither document alone or together meets the photo ID requirement (Correct answer)
- Yes, if the notary personally vouches for the signer
Correct answer: No, neither document alone or together meets the photo ID requirement
Colorado requires a current government-issued document bearing both a photo and signature; a birth certificate and credit card together do not satisfy this requirement.
Question 4: A signer presents a U.S. Passport Card. Is this acceptable identification in Colorado?
- No, only a full passport booklet is accepted
- Yes, a passport card is a current federal government ID with photo and signature (Correct answer)
- Only if combined with a second form of ID
- Only for notarial acts performed at a border crossing
Correct answer: Yes, a passport card is a current federal government ID with photo and signature
A U.S. Passport Card is issued by the federal government and contains the holder's photo and signature, meeting Colorado's identity requirements.
Question 5: What should a Colorado notary do if the physical description on an ID does not match the signer's appearance?
- Proceed if the photo looks similar enough
- Refuse to complete the notarial act until identity is satisfactorily established (Correct answer)
- Ask the signer to sign the ID again to compare signatures
- Accept the ID and note the discrepancy in the journal
Correct answer: Refuse to complete the notarial act until identity is satisfactorily established
If a notary cannot satisfactorily establish a signer's identity, the notary must refuse to perform the notarial act.
Question 6: Can a Colorado notary accept an out-of-state driver's license as satisfactory evidence of identity?
- No, only Colorado-issued IDs are acceptable
- Yes, any current state-issued driver's license with photo and signature qualifies (Correct answer)
- Only if the signer also presents a utility bill
- Only if the other state has reciprocity with Colorado
Correct answer: Yes, any current state-issued driver's license with photo and signature qualifies
Colorado law allows any current document issued by a state government bearing the signer's photo and signature, including driver's licenses from other states.
Question 7: A signer presents a valid U.S. military ID card. How should a Colorado notary treat this document?
- Reject it because military IDs are not government-issued
- Accept it as satisfactory evidence of identity (Correct answer)
- Accept it only for active-duty personnel
- Require a second form of ID in addition
Correct answer: Accept it as satisfactory evidence of identity
A U.S. military ID is issued by the federal government and contains a photo and signature, satisfying Colorado's identification requirements.
Colorado Notary Exam Signer Identification Methods 2
A signer presents a driver's license that expired six months ago.
What should a Colorado notary do?