FREE CT Notary Identification and Verification Questions and Answers
If a document requires the signatures of multiple people, how should a notary handle the identification process?
Each signer must be individually verified to ensure that all parties are properly identified. The notary should ensure that each signer personally appears and provides acceptable identification to maintain the integrity of the notarial act.
How should a notary verify the identity of a minor who is signing a document?
When notarizing for a minor, the notary should obtain identification from the minor’s parent or legal guardian, or use a credible witness to verify the minor’s identity. School IDs are not generally considered sufficient on their own for notarial purposes.
If a signer does not have an acceptable form of ID, what alternative method can a notary use to verify their identity?
If the signer does not have an acceptable form of ID, the notary can use personal knowledge of the signer or a credible witness who personally knows the signer to verify their identity. This is an acceptable alternative when official ID is unavailable.
What should a notary do if presented with an expired government-issued ID?
An expired ID is not considered acceptable for verifying a signer's identity because it may no longer be reliable. The notary should refuse to notarize the document if the ID is expired and request a valid form of identification.
What is typically considered an acceptable form of identification for verifying a signer's identity during a notarial act?
A government-issued photo ID, like a driver's license or passport, is typically accepted for verifying a signer's identity. Such documents provide a reliable means of confirming the signer's identity due to their official nature and photograph.