NH Notary NH Notary Signer Identification 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What should a NH notary do if they have doubts about the authenticity of a signer's identification document?
- Accept it and proceed
- Refuse the notarization until satisfactory identification is provided (Correct answer)
- Call the police immediately
- Ask the signer to sign a waiver
Correct answer: Refuse the notarization until satisfactory identification is provided
If the notary is not satisfied with the identification presented, they should decline to notarize rather than risk facilitating fraud.
Question 2: Can a NH notary notarize a document for a signer who claims to be someone else (i.e., using a power of attorney)?
- No, notarization always requires the named signer to appear
- Yes, but the agent must present the POA and their own valid ID (Correct answer)
- Only if the original signer is deceased
- Only with court approval
Correct answer: Yes, but the agent must present the POA and their own valid ID
An attorney-in-fact acting under a power of attorney must identify themselves by their own name, present valid ID, and present the POA document.
Question 3: In New Hampshire, which document would NOT be considered acceptable identification for a notarization?
- A state-issued driver's license
- A Social Security card (without photo) (Correct answer)
- A U.S. military ID
- A foreign passport
Correct answer: A Social Security card (without photo)
Social Security cards do not contain a photograph and are therefore not acceptable as stand-alone identification for notarization purposes.
Question 4: If a signer appears at a NH notary but refuses to present identification, what should the notary do?
- Proceed if the person seems trustworthy
- Decline to perform the notarization (Correct answer)
- Accept a verbal statement of identity
- Require two witnesses instead
Correct answer: Decline to perform the notarization
Without satisfactory identification, the notary cannot verify the signer's identity and must decline the notarization.
Question 5: When notarizing for a signer who is visually impaired, what must the NH notary ensure?
- Have the signer bring a sighted companion to sign for them
- Ensure the signer is aware of the document's contents and is willingly signing (Correct answer)
- Refuse the notarization for liability reasons
- Require a physician's statement
Correct answer: Ensure the signer is aware of the document's contents and is willingly signing
The notary must be satisfied that the signer understands what they are signing and is not signing under duress, regardless of disability.
Question 6: What characteristic must ALL acceptable forms of ID share for NH notary purposes?
- They must be issued in New Hampshire
- They must be government-issued, contain a photo, and be current (Correct answer)
- They must contain the signer's address
- They must be issued within the last 2 years
Correct answer: They must be government-issued, contain a photo, and be current
Acceptable identification must be issued by a government authority, include a photograph, and be currently valid (not expired).
NH Notary NH Notary Signer Identification 2
What should a NH notary do if they have doubts about the authenticity of a signer's identification document?