MI Notary Signer Identification and Credentialing 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which of the following is considered acceptable satisfactory evidence of identity for a signer appearing before a Michigan notary?
- Voter registration card
- Social Security card
- Current U.S. passport (Correct answer)
- Birth certificate
Correct answer: Current U.S. passport
A current U.S. passport is a government-issued photo ID that qualifies as satisfactory evidence of identity under Michigan notary standards.
Question 2: What does 'personal knowledge' mean when a Michigan notary uses it to establish a signer's identity?
- The notary has previously seen the signer's driver's license
- The notary has sufficient acquaintance with the signer to identify them without documentary evidence (Correct answer)
- The notary has worked with the signer professionally for at least one year
- The notary has verified the signer's identity through a background check
Correct answer: The notary has sufficient acquaintance with the signer to identify them without documentary evidence
Personal knowledge means the notary has sufficient acquaintance with the individual to identify them without requiring documentary evidence.
Question 3: When a signer cannot produce acceptable identification, which alternative method may a Michigan notary use to establish identity?
- The signer's verbal confirmation of their name and address
- A credible witness personally known to the notary (Correct answer)
- A co-worker of the signer who recognizes them
- The signer's employer's written attestation
Correct answer: A credible witness personally known to the notary
A credible witness who is personally known to the notary and can vouch for the signer's identity is an acceptable alternative to documentary identification under Michigan law.
Question 4: For a Michigan driver's license to be accepted as satisfactory evidence of identity, it must be:
- Less than two years old
- Currently valid and not expired (Correct answer)
- Accompanied by a second form of ID
- Issued within the last renewal cycle only
Correct answer: Currently valid and not expired
The identification document must be current and valid; an expired driver's license does not constitute satisfactory evidence of identity.
Question 5: Which statement about a credible witness in Michigan notarial practice is CORRECT?
- The credible witness must be a relative of the signer
- The credible witness must present their own valid ID to the notary
- The credible witness must be personally known to the notary (Correct answer)
- Two credible witnesses are always required when documentary ID is unavailable
Correct answer: The credible witness must be personally known to the notary
Under Michigan law, a credible witness must be personally known to the notary in order to serve as an alternative means of establishing the signer's identity.
Question 6: A signer presents a current passport issued by a foreign country to a Michigan notary. What should the notary do?
- Refuse because only U.S.-issued documents are acceptable
- Accept it as satisfactory evidence if it is current and contains a photo (Correct answer)
- Require a U.S. document in addition to the foreign passport
- Contact the Secretary of State's office for authorization before proceeding
Correct answer: Accept it as satisfactory evidence if it is current and contains a photo
A current foreign passport containing a photograph may be accepted as satisfactory evidence of identity under Michigan notary standards.
Question 7: If a Michigan notary suspects that the identification presented by a signer is fraudulent, the notary should:
- Complete the notarization but note the suspicion in the journal
- Refuse to perform the notarization (Correct answer)
- Proceed and report the suspicion to authorities afterward
- Accept the ID but require a second witness to also verify
Correct answer: Refuse to perform the notarization
A notary must refuse to perform a notarization when there is reasonable doubt about the authenticity of the identification or the signer's true identity.
MI Notary Signer Identification and Credentialing 1
Which of the following is considered acceptable satisfactory evidence of identity for a signer appearing before a Michigan notary?