GA Notary Notarial Acts and Procedures 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which document is generally acceptable as satisfactory evidence of identity for a Georgia notary?
- A library card with a photograph
- A current government-issued photo ID such as a driver's license or passport (Correct answer)
- A Social Security card without a photo
- A utility bill listing the signer's current address
Correct answer: A current government-issued photo ID such as a driver's license or passport
A current, government-issued photo identification bearing the signer's signature is the standard acceptable form of identity verification in Georgia.
Question 2: How many credible witnesses may be used to identify a signer who lacks acceptable ID in Georgia?
- One credible witness is sufficient
- Two credible witnesses who personally know the signer (Correct answer)
- Three witnesses, at least one of whom is an attorney
- No witnesses are permitted; the notary must refuse
Correct answer: Two credible witnesses who personally know the signer
Georgia law allows two credible witnesses who personally know the signer and can swear to the signer's identity when acceptable ID is unavailable.
Question 3: A credible witness used to identify a signer for a Georgia notary must:
- Be a licensed attorney admitted to the Georgia bar
- Personally know the signer and present their own acceptable ID to the notary (Correct answer)
- Be a blood relative of the signer
- Be separately notarized before serving as a witness
Correct answer: Personally know the signer and present their own acceptable ID to the notary
A credible witness must have personal knowledge of the signer's identity and must also present acceptable identification to the notary to establish their own identity.
Question 4: If a Georgia notary personally knows the signer well, which of the following is true regarding identification?
- The notary's personal knowledge alone constitutes satisfactory evidence of the signer's identity (Correct answer)
- Two witnesses must still be present to corroborate the notary's personal knowledge
- The notary must still require government-issued photo ID regardless of personal knowledge
- The notary must file an affidavit of personal knowledge with the Secretary of State
Correct answer: The notary's personal knowledge alone constitutes satisfactory evidence of the signer's identity
Georgia law recognizes a notary's personal knowledge of the signer's identity as a valid and sufficient basis for identification.
Question 5: When notarizing for a signer who uses a mark (X) instead of a signature in Georgia, what is required?
- Two witnesses must observe the mark being made and add their own signatures to the document (Correct answer)
- The mark alone is sufficient with no additional steps
- The notary must sign on behalf of the signer in addition to the mark
- The document must be filed at the county courthouse within 30 days
Correct answer: Two witnesses must observe the mark being made and add their own signatures to the document
When a signer executes a document with a mark, two witnesses must be present to observe the mark and add their own signatures to authenticate the act.
Question 6: What must a Georgia notary do when presented with an expired government-issued ID?
- Accept it if the photograph still clearly matches the signer's appearance
- Reject it and require a current valid ID or another approved method of identification (Correct answer)
- Accept it only if it expired within the preceding 90 days
- Call the issuing agency to verify the signer's identity
Correct answer: Reject it and require a current valid ID or another approved method of identification
An expired ID does not meet the 'current' requirement for acceptable identification; the notary must require a valid ID or use an alternative approved method.
Question 7: A Georgia notary must refuse to complete a notarial act if the signer:
- Is not a permanent Georgia resident
- Cannot be identified through acceptable ID, credible witnesses, or the notary's personal knowledge (Correct answer)
- Declines to provide their Social Security number
- Speaks a language other than English
Correct answer: Cannot be identified through acceptable ID, credible witnesses, or the notary's personal knowledge
Without satisfactory evidence of identity through one of the approved methods, a notary cannot verify who they are notarizing for and must refuse.
GA Notary Notarial Acts and Procedures 3
Which document is generally acceptable as satisfactory evidence of identity for a Georgia notary?