NC Notary Signer Identification and Vetting 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A signer presents a North Carolina driver's license that expired 14 months ago. What should the NC notary do?
- Accept it since the photo still matches the signer
- Refuse to notarize because expired IDs are not acceptable satisfactory evidence (Correct answer)
- Accept it if the signer also provides a credit card
- Accept it only if the document is a real estate deed
Correct answer: Refuse to notarize because expired IDs are not acceptable satisfactory evidence
North Carolina law requires satisfactory evidence of identity through current, unexpired ID; an expired license does not meet this standard.
Question 2: Which combination of documents can satisfy the identification requirement when a signer lacks a single government-issued photo ID?
- Two utility bills showing the signer's name and address
- A Social Security card plus a major credit card
- A valid photo ID from any source plus a non-photo government document (Correct answer)
- Personal knowledge of the notary plus any one document
Correct answer: A valid photo ID from any source plus a non-photo government document
Under NC statute, satisfactory evidence can include a combination of documents, one of which must be a photo-bearing ID and another a government-issued non-photo document.
Question 3: A signer is identified by a credible witness who is personally known to the notary. The notary does NOT personally know the signer. Is this acceptable in North Carolina?
- No, NC does not allow credible witnesses for identification
- Yes, one credible witness personally known to the notary is permitted (Correct answer)
- Yes, but only if two credible witnesses are used
- Yes, but only for acknowledgments, not jurats
Correct answer: Yes, one credible witness personally known to the notary is permitted
NC law permits a single credible witness who is personally known to the notary and who personally knows the signer as a form of satisfactory evidence of identity.
Question 4: A signer presents a U.S. Permanent Resident Card (Green Card) that is valid for 10 years and was issued 3 years ago. Should an NC notary accept it?
- No, only U.S. citizens may have documents notarized in NC
- Yes, a valid unexpired Permanent Resident Card is acceptable government-issued ID (Correct answer)
- No, only state-issued IDs are acceptable in NC
- Yes, but only if combined with a second form of ID
Correct answer: Yes, a valid unexpired Permanent Resident Card is acceptable government-issued ID
A valid, unexpired federal government-issued photo ID such as a Permanent Resident Card satisfies North Carolina's identification requirement.
Question 5: When a notary personally knows the signer, what additional identification is required under NC law?
- At least one government-issued photo ID
- A credible witness vouching for the signer
- No additional ID — personal knowledge alone is satisfactory evidence (Correct answer)
- Two utility bills confirming the signer's address
Correct answer: No additional ID — personal knowledge alone is satisfactory evidence
If the notary has personal knowledge of the signer's identity, that alone constitutes satisfactory evidence under NC notary statutes.
Question 6: A signer presents a valid tribal ID card issued by a federally recognized Native American tribe with a photo and physical description. How should the NC notary treat this ID?
- Reject it because tribal IDs are not recognized by NC
- Accept it as satisfactory evidence since it is a government-issued photo ID (Correct answer)
- Accept it only if combined with another document
- Request a state-issued ID instead, as tribal IDs are insufficient alone
Correct answer: Accept it as satisfactory evidence since it is a government-issued photo ID
Federally recognized tribal IDs with a photo satisfy the government-issued photo ID requirement under NC notary law.
Question 7: An NC notary is asked to notarize a document for a signer whose ID photo looks like the signer but whose listed birth date would make the person 120 years old. What should the notary do?
- Proceed if the photo matches, since birth dates are not the notary's concern
- Refuse to notarize due to a reasonable doubt about the ID's authenticity (Correct answer)
- Accept the ID because the notary is not a fraud investigator
- Notarize and note the discrepancy in the journal only
Correct answer: Refuse to notarize due to a reasonable doubt about the ID's authenticity
A notary must be satisfied that the identification is authentic; a clearly impossible birth date creates reasonable doubt that the ID is genuine, warranting refusal.
NC Notary Signer Identification and Vetting 4
A signer presents a North Carolina driver's license that expired 14 months ago.
What should the NC notary do?