MT Notary Identifying Signers and Credibility 5

Question 1

A man the notary vaguely recognizes from the grocery store asks to be identified by personal knowledge. Is this sufficient in Montana?

Accepted Answer

No, casual recognition does not provide reasonable certainty of identity

Answer

Personal knowledge requires dealings sufficient for reasonable certainty of identity, which mere casual recognition does not establish.

Question 2

A signer offers his employee badge from a large private hospital, complete with photo and signature. Why does this fail as primary identification?

Accepted Answer

It was issued by a private employer, not a government

Answer

Acceptable identification documents must be government-issued; private employer credentials do not qualify.

Question 3

During a signing, the notary suspects the ID presented is counterfeit because the lamination is peeling over an altered birthdate. What should the notary do?

Accepted Answer

Refuse the notarization because the evidence of identity is not satisfactory

Answer

A notary must refuse to act when not satisfied the individual has the identity claimed, and a suspect document is not satisfactory evidence.

Question 4

A borrower's adult son wants to act as credible witness, but the son is a co-borrower on the loan being notarized. Why should the notary refuse this arrangement?

Accepted Answer

The son's financial interest in the transaction undermines his credibility as a witness

Answer

A credible witness should be a disinterested party, and a co-borrower stands to benefit from the notarization.

Question 5

Which combination fully satisfies Montana's credible witness method of identification?

Accepted Answer

Witness personally knows the signer, is known to or identified by the notary, and swears an oath to the signer's identity

Answer

All three elements are required: the witness knows the signer, the notary verifies the witness, and the witness makes a sworn verification of identity.

(MT Notary) Montana Notary Exam Practice Test

(MT Notary) Montana Notary Exam Practice Test

MT Notary Identifying Signers and Credibility 5