GA Notary Verifying Signer Identity 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A signer presents a state-issued driver's license that expired 6 months ago. What should a Georgia notary do?
- Accept it since the photo and information are still valid
- Refuse to notarize because Georgia law requires current, unexpired ID (Correct answer)
- Accept it only if the signer also provides a second form of ID
- Contact the Georgia Secretary of State for guidance before proceeding
Correct answer: Refuse to notarize because Georgia law requires current, unexpired ID
Georgia notaries must require unexpired identification documents; expired IDs are not acceptable forms of identification.
Question 2: Under Georgia law, which of the following is NOT a generally acceptable form of ID for notarial purposes?
- U.S. passport
- State-issued driver's license
- Library card with photo (Correct answer)
- Military identification card
Correct answer: Library card with photo
Library cards are not government-issued identification documents and are not acceptable for verifying signer identity in Georgia.
Question 3: A Georgia notary personally knows a signer well. Is a government-issued ID still required?
- Yes, always — personal knowledge is never sufficient under Georgia law
- No, a notary who personally knows the signer may rely on that knowledge instead of ID (Correct answer)
- Only if the document being notarized is a real estate deed
- Only if the notary has known the signer for at least one year
Correct answer: No, a notary who personally knows the signer may rely on that knowledge instead of ID
Georgia allows a notary to rely on personal knowledge of the signer's identity as an alternative to requiring documentary identification.
Question 4: A credible witness is used to identify a signer in Georgia. How many credible witnesses are required when the witness does NOT personally know the notary?
- One credible witness who personally knows the signer
- Two credible witnesses who both personally know the signer and are known to the notary (Correct answer)
- Two credible witnesses who are known to the notary but not necessarily the signer
- Three credible witnesses, at least one of whom holds a government office
Correct answer: Two credible witnesses who both personally know the signer and are known to the notary
When the credible witness is not personally known to the notary, two credible witnesses who know both the signer and the notary are required.
Question 5: The name on a signer's driver's license reads 'Robert T. Smith' but the document to be notarized uses 'Bob Smith.' What should the Georgia notary do?
- Refuse to notarize because the names do not exactly match
- Proceed as long as the notary is satisfied the signer is the same person and notes the discrepancy (Correct answer)
- Require the signer to obtain a corrected document before notarizing
- Accept the ID only if the signer signs both names on the notarial certificate
Correct answer: Proceed as long as the notary is satisfied the signer is the same person and notes the discrepancy
A notary may proceed if sufficiently satisfied the individual is the same person, noting any name discrepancy in the notarial record.
Question 6: Which feature of a government-issued ID is MOST critical for a Georgia notary verifying a signer's identity?
- The color and design of the ID card
- A current photograph that resembles the signer (Correct answer)
- The issuing state's hologram or watermark
- The signature of the issuing authority
Correct answer: A current photograph that resembles the signer
A current photograph that matches the signer's appearance is the most critical feature for visual identity verification.
Question 7: A foreign national presents only a passport issued by their home country. Can a Georgia notary accept this as proof of identity?
- No, only U.S.-issued documents are acceptable in Georgia
- Yes, a valid foreign passport is generally an acceptable form of identification (Correct answer)
- Only if it includes a valid U.S. visa stamp
- Only if accompanied by a certified translation into English
Correct answer: Yes, a valid foreign passport is generally an acceptable form of identification
A valid, unexpired foreign passport is generally accepted as satisfactory proof of identity for notarial purposes in Georgia.
GA Notary Verifying Signer Identity 2
A signer presents a state-issued driver's license that expired 6 months ago.
What should a Georgia notary do?