Identifying Signers Flashcards

What is the primary and most common method for a Pennsylvania notary to obtain satisfactory evidence of a signer's identity?

Answer: Verification of a government-issued identification credential

Under the Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts (RULONA), while personal knowledge and credible witnesses are permitted, the most standard, objective, and commonly used method is verification of a current, government-issued identification credential containing a photograph and signature.

When can a Pennsylvania notary use 'personal knowledge' to identify a signer?

Answer: If the notary has a sufficient acquaintance with the individual to be certain of their identity.

Personal knowledge is defined as having an acquaintance, derived from association with the individual over time, which establishes the individual's identity with at least a reasonable certainty. A single meeting or brief interaction is insufficient.

A signer appears before you without an acceptable ID. Which of the following is a valid option for the notary to proceed with the notarization?

Answer: Use a credible witness who can swear to the signer's identity.

If a signer lacks an acceptable ID, Pennsylvania law allows for the use of a credible witness. The witness must personally know the signer and either be personally known to the notary or present their own valid government-issued ID to the notary.

Which of the following is an acceptable form of identification for a notarial act in Pennsylvania?

Answer: A valid, unexpired passport issued by a foreign government.

Acceptable ID must be current (not expired), issued by a federal or state government agency, and contain the individual's photograph and signature. A foreign passport meets these criteria. Student IDs and credit cards are not government-issued, and a birth certificate lacks a photograph.

What are the requirements for a person to serve as a credible witness in Pennsylvania?

Answer: The witness must personally know the signer and be identified by the notary.

A credible witness must personally know the signer. The notary, in turn, must identify the credible witness through either personal knowledge or a valid government-issued ID presented by the witness.

A notary is asked to notarize a document for an individual whose driver's license expired two months ago. The notary should:

Answer: Refuse the notarization until the signer provides a current, valid ID.

Pennsylvania law requires that an identification credential must be 'current,' meaning it cannot be expired. An expired ID is not acceptable for identifying a signer, and the notary must refuse the notarization on that basis.

If a notary uses a credible witness to identify a signer, what information about the witness must be recorded in the notary journal?

Answer: The witness's name, address, and signature.

The journal entry must create a complete record. This includes the credible witness's name and address, their signature, and a brief description of how the notary identified the witness (e.g., 'personal knowledge' or 'PA Driver's License').