NNA Properly Identifying Signers 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A signer's driver's license reads "Maria Elena Lopez Garcia." Which signature name may the notary generally accept on the document?
- M. L. Johnson
- Maria E. Rodriguez
- Maria Lopez Garcia (Correct answer)
- Elena Smith
Correct answer: Maria Lopez Garcia
A signer may use a shorter version of the name on the ID, but not a name that does not appear on it.
Question 2: Which feature is generally NOT required for an ID card to be considered satisfactory evidence of identity?
- A photograph of the bearer
- A signature of the bearer
- Issuance by a government agency
- A home mailing address (Correct answer)
Correct answer: A home mailing address
Acceptable IDs typically need a photo, physical description, signature, and serial number from a government issuer, while an address is not a core requirement.
Question 3: A signer presents a clear color photocopy of their passport because the original is at the embassy. What should the notary do?
- Accept it if the copy is in color
- Refuse to accept the photocopy as identification (Correct answer)
- Accept it and note "copy" in the journal
- Accept it if a family member vouches for it
Correct answer: Refuse to accept the photocopy as identification
Copies of ID can easily be altered and are not acceptable as satisfactory evidence of identity.
Question 4: Which of the following is generally an acceptable form of identification for a notarization?
- A credit card with the signer's photo
- A certified birth certificate
- A current U.S. military ID card (Correct answer)
- A Social Security card
Correct answer: A current U.S. military ID card
A military ID is government-issued with a photo and signature, unlike Social Security cards, birth certificates, or credit cards.
Question 5: When using a credible identifying witness, what relationship is generally required?
- The witness has a financial interest in the document
- The witness personally knows the signer, and the notary knows or identifies the witness (Correct answer)
- The witness is related to the notary
- The witness met the signer in the notary's waiting room
Correct answer: The witness personally knows the signer, and the notary knows or identifies the witness
A credible witness bridges the gap by personally knowing the signer while being known to, or properly identified by, the notary.
Question 6: Which person would be disqualified from serving as a credible identifying witness?
- The signer's coworker of ten years
- A friend who has known the signer since childhood
- The grantee who will receive property under the deed (Correct answer)
- The signer's longtime neighbor with no interest in the deal
Correct answer: The grantee who will receive property under the deed
A credible witness must be impartial and cannot have a financial or beneficial interest in the transaction.
Question 7: After identifying a signer by driver's license, what ID details should the notary record in the journal?
- Only the signer's eye color
- Nothing, since the ID was valid
- Only the signer's phone number
- ID type, issuing agency, serial number, and issue/expiration dates (Correct answer)
Correct answer: ID type, issuing agency, serial number, and issue/expiration dates
Recording the ID type, issuer, number, and dates creates a record proving how identity was established.
NNA Properly Identifying Signers 2
A signer's driver's license reads "Maria Elena Lopez Garcia." Which signature name may the notary generally accept on the document?