CT Notary Signer Identification Methods 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Under Connecticut notary practice, which of the following counts as "satisfactory evidence" of a signer's identity?
- A current government-issued ID with photograph and signature (Correct answer)
- A handwritten letter from the signer's employer
- A utility bill showing the signer's address
- A verbal statement from the signer alone
Correct answer: A current government-issued ID with photograph and signature
Satisfactory evidence generally means a current government-issued identification document bearing a photograph and signature.
Question 2: A signer presents a driver's license that expired two years ago. What should the Connecticut notary do?
- Accept it because it still shows a photo
- Decline it and request a current, unexpired form of identification (Correct answer)
- Accept it if the signer also shows a credit card
- Notarize but note the expiration in the certificate
Correct answer: Decline it and request a current, unexpired form of identification
Identification documents must be current, so an expired license should not be relied upon as satisfactory evidence.
Question 3: Which method of identification requires NO documents at all in Connecticut?
- Personal knowledge of the signer by the notary (Correct answer)
- A photocopy of a passport
- A notarized affidavit of identity
- A signature comparison with old records
Correct answer: Personal knowledge of the signer by the notary
A notary who personally knows the signer may rely on that personal knowledge without reviewing any documents.
Question 4: A credible witness used to identify a signer in Connecticut must generally be someone who:
- Is related to the signer by blood
- Is personally known to the notary and personally knows the signer (Correct answer)
- Holds a Connecticut notary commission
- Has known the signer for at least ten years
Correct answer: Is personally known to the notary and personally knows the signer
A credible witness bridges the gap by being personally known to the notary while personally knowing the signer.
Question 5: Before relying on a credible witness's identification of a signer, the notary should:
- Photocopy the witness's ID for the record
- Administer an oath or affirmation to the witness regarding the signer's identity (Correct answer)
- Collect an extra fee from the witness
- Have the witness sign the document as a co-signer
Correct answer: Administer an oath or affirmation to the witness regarding the signer's identity
The credible witness should swear or affirm to the signer's identity under oath before the notary relies on it.
Question 6: Which of these documents would be the WEAKEST evidence of identity for a Connecticut notarization?
- An unexpired U.S. passport
- A current state driver's license
- A Social Security card (Correct answer)
- A current state-issued non-driver ID card
Correct answer: A Social Security card
A Social Security card lacks a photograph and signature security features, making it inadequate as primary identification.
Question 7: If a notary has any reasonable doubt about a signer's identity after reviewing the ID presented, the notary should:
- Proceed but add a disclaimer to the certificate
- Refuse to perform the notarization until identity is satisfactorily established (Correct answer)
- Ask the signer to sign twice for comparison
- Notarize and report the doubt to the town clerk afterward
Correct answer: Refuse to perform the notarization until identity is satisfactorily established
A notary must not notarize when identity cannot be established to the notary's satisfaction.
CT Notary Signer Identification Methods 2
Under Connecticut notary practice, which of the following counts as "satisfactory evidence" of a signer's identity?