FREE NM NOTARY Proper Identification and Procedures Questions and Answers

Question 1

A signer appears before a New Mexico notary with a document to be notarized.
The signer presents a valid U.S.
Passport as identification, but their physical appearance has changed significantly since the passport photo was taken.
What is the notary's most appropriate course of action?

Accepted Answer

Proceed with the notarization only if the signer can satisfactorily explain the difference in appearance and the notary is convinced of their identity.

Answer

Ask the signer for a supplemental, non-photo ID to confirm their written signature.

Answer

Refuse the notarization because the photo does not closely resemble the signer.

Answer

Complete the notarization, as a valid U.S. Passport is always considered sufficient evidence of identity.

Question 2

Under New Mexico law, which of the following is an essential requirement for an individual to serve as a credible witness for identification purposes?

Accepted Answer

The credible witness must be personally known to the notary public.

Answer

The credible witness must be a family member of the signer.

Answer

The credible witness must sign an affidavit of identity that will be filed with the county clerk.

Answer

The credible witness must have known the signer for at least five years.

Question 3

A person comes to a New Mexico notary and has no acceptable form of identification. They state they can bring in a friend to act as a credible witness. The notary does not personally know this friend. What must the notary do?

Accepted Answer

Refuse to use the friend as a credible witness because the notary does not personally know them.

Answer

Allow the friend to serve as the credible witness after administering an oath.

Answer

Allow the friend to serve as the credible witness if the friend presents two forms of valid ID.

Answer

Tell the signer to find a different notary who might know their friend.

Question 4

When a New Mexico notary identifies a signer using an identification document, which of the following is a mandatory characteristic of that document?

Accepted Answer

It must be a current, unexpired, government-issued document.

Answer

It must have been issued within the last five years.

Answer

It must be issued by the State of New Mexico.

Answer

It must contain the signer's residential address.

Question 5

A long-time client, whom the notary has known and done business with for over 15 years, requests a notarization but has forgotten their wallet and has no ID. How may the New Mexico notary properly identify this individual?

Accepted Answer

By using 'personal knowledge' of the individual's identity.

Answer

By having the client write and sign a statement confirming their identity.

Answer

By requiring the client to return later with a valid ID, as no exceptions are allowed.

Answer

By calling another person who knows the client to verbally confirm their identity over the phone.

Question 6

A signer's name appears on a document as 'Robert William Jones'. The signer presents a current, valid New Mexico driver's license where the name is listed as 'Robert W. Jones'. What is the correct procedure for the notary?

Accepted Answer

Proceed with the notarization if satisfied that the person is the same individual, and note the name variance in the notary journal.

Answer

Refuse the notarization due to the name discrepancy.

Answer

Require a second form of ID that shows the full middle name.

Answer

Cross out 'William' on the document and write 'W.' before notarizing.