MS Notary Signer Identification Methods 4

Question 1

A Mississippi notary's brother-in-law, whom she has met only twice at family events, asks to be identified by personal knowledge. Is this appropriate?

Accepted Answer

No, brief social contact does not create reasonable certainty of identity

Answer

Yes, family connections always establish personal knowledge

Answer

Yes, if he states his full legal name aloud

Answer

No, relatives may never appear before a notary

Question 2

A signer's driver's license shows the name 'Katherine A. Smith' but the document is prepared for 'Kate Smith.' What is the notary's best course?

Accepted Answer

Determine whether the ID reasonably identifies the signer as the person named, and decline if not satisfied

Answer

Refuse automatically because the names differ in any way

Answer

Alter the document to match the license exactly

Answer

Notarize using whichever name the signer prefers

Question 3

How many methods of identifying a signer does Mississippi's notary law recognize?

Accepted Answer

Three: personal knowledge, identity documents, and a credible witness

Answer

One: a current driver's license only

Answer

Two: fingerprints and photo ID

Answer

Four: including social media verification

Question 4

A signer presents a driver's license that expired four years ago. What should a Mississippi notary do?

Accepted Answer

Decline it, because IDs expired more than three years are not acceptable

Answer

Accept it, since driver's licenses never truly expire for notary purposes

Answer

Accept it if the photo still resembles the signer

Answer

Accept it with a second expired ID

Question 5

Why should a credible witness generally have no financial interest in the document being notarized?

Accepted Answer

An interested witness has a motive to lie, undermining the reliability of the identification

Answer

Interested witnesses must pay a state surcharge

Answer

Financial interest makes the document unrecordable

Answer

The witness would then owe taxes on the transaction

Question 6

A remote online notarization is being performed for a Mississippi notary. How is the signer's identity typically verified?

Accepted Answer

Through multi-factor methods such as credential analysis and identity proofing

Answer

By the signer emailing a photo of their ID afterward

Answer

By the signer's verbal promise on camera

Answer

Identity verification is waived for online notarizations

Question 7

A notary suspects the ID presented is a skilled forgery. Which action is most appropriate?

Accepted Answer

Refuse the notarization and decline to proceed

Answer

Notarize but add a disclaimer to the certificate

Answer

Confiscate the ID and call the signer's employer

Answer

Ask the signer to initial the ID as authentic