Notary Public Notary Public Signature & Identity Verification 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A signer who is blind wants to have a document notarized. Which accommodation must the notary provide?
- Refuse the notarization due to inability to confirm the signer read the document
- Read the document aloud to the signer before they sign, if requested (Correct answer)
- Have a sighted witness sign instead
- Require the signer to obtain a power of attorney
Correct answer: Read the document aloud to the signer before they sign, if requested
Notaries should read or allow the document to be read to a blind signer upon request to ensure they understand what they are signing.
Question 2: Which of the following IDs would generally NOT be acceptable for notary identity verification in the U.S.?
- State-issued driver's license
- U.S. passport card
- Retail store loyalty card with a photo (Correct answer)
- Permanent resident card (Green Card)
Correct answer: Retail store loyalty card with a photo
A retail loyalty card is not a government-issued ID and lacks the security features required for reliable identity verification.
Question 3: When a corporation authorizes an officer to sign on its behalf, what document should the notary request to confirm signing authority?
- A copy of the corporation's annual tax return
- A corporate resolution or authorization document designating the officer's signing authority (Correct answer)
- The officer's personal bank statement
- A letter from the company's accountant
Correct answer: A corporate resolution or authorization document designating the officer's signing authority
A corporate resolution confirms that the officer is duly authorized by the corporation to execute the document being notarized.
Question 4: A signer states they cannot physically sign their name due to a recent hand injury. What is the most appropriate notary response?
- Sign the document on behalf of the signer
- Follow the state's procedure for signature by mark or proxy signing, if allowed (Correct answer)
- Postpone the notarization indefinitely
- Require the signer to type their name instead
Correct answer: Follow the state's procedure for signature by mark or proxy signing, if allowed
Most states have procedures allowing signature by mark or proxy signing for signers with physical limitations, and the notary should follow those rules.
Question 5: What does it mean when a notary 'takes an acknowledgment'?
- The notary confirms the document's content is accurate and truthful
- The notary certifies that the signer personally appeared and acknowledged signing the document as their free act (Correct answer)
- The notary agrees to store the document in their records
- The notary acknowledges receiving payment for their services
Correct answer: The notary certifies that the signer personally appeared and acknowledged signing the document as their free act
An acknowledgment is the signer's formal declaration to the notary that they voluntarily signed the document, which the notary then certifies.
Question 6: If a signer's appearance has significantly changed since their ID photo was taken (e.g., weight change, new facial hair), what should the notary do?
- Automatically reject the ID and refuse notarization
- Ask additional questions or request a secondary ID to satisfactorily confirm identity (Correct answer)
- Accept the ID without question since the name matches
- Require the signer to obtain a new ID before proceeding
Correct answer: Ask additional questions or request a secondary ID to satisfactorily confirm identity
When an ID photo does not clearly match the signer's current appearance, the notary should use reasonable care, such as requesting additional identification, to confirm identity.
Question 7: Under what circumstance may a notary properly refuse to notarize a document even if the signer presents valid ID?
- When the signer is from a different state
- When the notary has reason to believe the signer does not understand the document or is acting under duress (Correct answer)
- When the document involves real estate in another county
- When the signer does not speak with an accent the notary recognizes
Correct answer: When the notary has reason to believe the signer does not understand the document or is acting under duress
A notary may and should refuse to notarize if they have reasonable grounds to believe the signer lacks understanding or is being coerced, regardless of valid ID.
Notary Public Notary Public Signature & Identity Verification 5
A signer who is blind wants to have a document notarized.
Which accommodation must the notary provide?