NSA NSA - Notary Signing Agent Signer Identification and Verification Questions and Answers 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What does 'credible witness' mean in the context of signer identification?
- A person who personally knows the signer and vouches for their identity to the notary (Correct answer)
- A co-signer on the loan documents
- A lender representative present at the signing
- A title company agent who verifies the signer
Correct answer: A person who personally knows the signer and vouches for their identity to the notary
A credible witness is someone known to both the notary and/or the signer who can personally vouch for the signer's identity when acceptable ID is unavailable.
Question 2: Why must an NSA verify that the signer is signing willingly and of their own free will?
- To ensure the notarization is valid and to prevent notarizing a document signed under duress or coercion (Correct answer)
- To satisfy lender underwriting requirements
- To comply with the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act
- To confirm the signer understands the loan interest rate
Correct answer: To ensure the notarization is valid and to prevent notarizing a document signed under duress or coercion
A notary must confirm the signer is acting voluntarily because a notarization performed under duress or coercion is invalid and potentially fraudulent.
Question 3: How many forms of identification should an NSA request if a signer's primary ID appears questionable?
- One additional form of supplemental ID (Correct answer)
- Three forms of ID from government sources
- No additional ID is needed if a signature matches
- Only the lender can authorize additional ID requirements
Correct answer: One additional form of supplemental ID
When a primary ID appears questionable, requesting one additional supplemental form of ID helps confirm the signer's identity before proceeding.
Question 4: What should an NSA do if a signer refuses to provide any acceptable identification?
- Decline to perform the notarization (Correct answer)
- Proceed if the signer signs an affidavit of identity
- Contact the lender and allow them to approve the signing without ID
- Accept verbal confirmation of identity from the signer
Correct answer: Decline to perform the notarization
Without acceptable identification, the NSA cannot legally notarize the documents and must decline until proper ID is presented.
Question 5: What information from a signer's ID should typically be recorded in the notary journal?
- Type of ID, ID number, and expiration date (Correct answer)
- Full Social Security number and date of birth
- Credit score and loan amount
- Home address and employer information
Correct answer: Type of ID, ID number, and expiration date
Recording the type of ID, ID number, and expiration date in the journal documents how the signer was identified, providing an auditable record.
Question 6: Which scenario would most likely cause an NSA to question whether a signer appears competent to sign?
- The signer appears confused, cannot understand basic questions, or seems heavily medicated (Correct answer)
- The signer asks questions about the loan terms
- The signer requests a short break during the signing
- The signer asks the NSA to clarify a document title
Correct answer: The signer appears confused, cannot understand basic questions, or seems heavily medicated
An NSA should look for signs that the signer is aware of what they are signing; signs of confusion, incapacity, or heavy sedation raise concerns about signer competence.
NSA NSA - Notary Signing Agent Signer Identification and Verification Questions and Answers 2
What does 'credible witness' mean in the context of signer identification?