Notary Exam Signer Identification 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What should a notary do if the signer's name on their ID does not exactly match the name on the document?
- Refuse to notarize under any circumstances
- Notarize with a journal note about the minor discrepancy if it is clearly the same person (Correct answer)
- Ask the signer to change the document to match the ID
- Completely ignore the difference
Correct answer: Notarize with a journal note about the minor discrepancy if it is clearly the same person
Many states allow notarization when there is a minor name discrepancy (such as a missing middle name) as long as the notary notes it in the journal and is satisfied it is the same person.
Question 2: What qualifications must a credible witness meet to identify a signer?
- They must be related to the signer by blood or marriage
- They must personally know the signer and have no financial interest in the transaction (Correct answer)
- They must work for a law enforcement or government agency
- They must hold a current notary commission
Correct answer: They must personally know the signer and have no financial interest in the transaction
A credible witness must personally know the signer, be known to or identified by the notary, and have no interest in the document or transaction.
Question 3: Can a notary notarize a document for an immediate family member?
- Never under any circumstances
- Yes, as long as the notary has no financial or beneficial interest in the document (Correct answer)
- Yes, always—family members are automatically trusted
- Only if a second notary is also present
Correct answer: Yes, as long as the notary has no financial or beneficial interest in the document
Most states permit notarizing for family members provided the notary has no financial stake in the transaction, though many notaries choose to decline to avoid conflict.
Question 4: What should a notary do if a signer's identification appears to be altered or counterfeit?
- Notarize the document but note the concern in the journal
- Call law enforcement immediately
- Refuse to perform the notarization (Correct answer)
- Ask for one additional form of identification and proceed
Correct answer: Refuse to perform the notarization
If a notary suspects an ID is fake or altered, they must refuse to notarize because proceeding could make the notary an unwitting participant in fraud.
Question 5: An acceptable ID for notarization must typically include which two features?
- Name and home address
- Photograph and signature (Correct answer)
- Social security number and date of birth
- Fingerprint and photograph
Correct answer: Photograph and signature
An acceptable ID must have a photograph for visual identification and a signature to compare with the signer's document signature.
Question 6: What does 'personal knowledge' of a signer mean in notarial law?
- The notary has worked professionally with the signer for at least one year
- The notary knows the signer personally through an established prior relationship (Correct answer)
- The notary has previously seen and logged the signer's ID
- The notary has the signer's phone number and can call to verify
Correct answer: The notary knows the signer personally through an established prior relationship
Personal knowledge means the notary has an established prior relationship with the signer that allows the notary to recognize and vouch for their identity without an ID.
Notary Exam Signer Identification 2
What should a notary do if the signer's name on their ID does not exactly match the name on the document?