DC Notary DC Notary Signer Identification Requirements 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Under DC notary law, which feature on a government-issued ID allows the notary to visually confirm it belongs to the signer?
- The Social Security number listed on the ID
- The photograph on the ID (Correct answer)
- The ID serial number
- The barcode on the back of the ID
Correct answer: The photograph on the ID
The photograph on a government-issued ID allows the notary to visually compare the ID to the person standing before them.
Question 2: How many credible witnesses are required under DC law when the witness is personally known only to the notary, not to the signer?
- One witness known to the notary is sufficient
- Two witnesses each personally known to the notary are required (Correct answer)
- Three community witnesses are needed
- One witness known only to the signer is sufficient
Correct answer: Two witnesses each personally known to the notary are required
When credible witnesses are not known to the signer, DC law requires two credible witnesses, each personally known to the notary.
Question 3: Which of the following is an acceptable government-issued photo ID for a DC notary identification?
- A voter registration card without a photo
- A certified copy of a birth certificate
- A U.S. Permanent Resident Card (Green Card) (Correct answer)
- A utility bill with the signer's name and address
Correct answer: A U.S. Permanent Resident Card (Green Card)
A U.S. Permanent Resident Card is a government-issued photo ID with a signature and meets the requirements for satisfactory evidence of identity.
Question 4: What is 'satisfactory evidence of identity' as defined under DC notary law?
- Any document bearing the signer's printed name
- Identification established through personal knowledge, credible witnesses, or acceptable ID documents (Correct answer)
- A sworn statement signed by the document recipient
- Verification obtained through a paid background check service
Correct answer: Identification established through personal knowledge, credible witnesses, or acceptable ID documents
Satisfactory evidence of identity under DC law encompasses three recognized methods: personal knowledge, credible witnesses, or qualifying identification documents.
Question 5: A DC notary is asked to notarize a document for a neighbor they have known personally for 15 years. What identification procedure applies?
- The notary must still require a government-issued photo ID
- The notary may rely on personal knowledge to satisfy the identification requirement (Correct answer)
- The notary must obtain at least one credible witness
- The notary must call DCRA to verify the neighbor's identity
Correct answer: The notary may rely on personal knowledge to satisfy the identification requirement
Personal knowledge of the signer's identity is a legally recognized standalone method of identification under DC notary law.
Question 6: What information about identification must a DC notary record in the notary journal for each notarial act?
- No identification information is required in the journal
- The type of identification used to verify the signer's identity (Correct answer)
- Only the signer's name and signature
- The signer's ID number and issuing state only
Correct answer: The type of identification used to verify the signer's identity
DC notary rules require the journal entry to include the type of identification presented by the signer to establish identity.
DC Notary DC Notary Signer Identification Requirements 2
Under DC notary law, which feature on a government-issued ID allows the notary to visually confirm it belongs to the signer?