RI Notary Signer Identity Verification 3

Question 1

A credible witness in Rhode Island must verify the signer's identity in what manner?

Accepted Answer

Under oath or affirmation administered by the notary

Answer

In a written letter mailed in advance

Answer

By showing a photograph of the signer

Answer

By co-signing the notarized document

Question 2

A signer presents a driver's license whose photo looks noticeably different from the person standing before the notary. The best first step is to:

Accepted Answer

Compare the physical description and, if still unsatisfied, request additional identification

Answer

Refuse immediately and report the signer to police

Answer

Accept the ID since licenses are government-issued

Answer

Ask the signer to sign twice to compare signatures

Question 3

Which combination of elements makes an identification credential most reliable for notarial purposes?

Accepted Answer

Photograph, signature, physical description, and issuance by a government agency

Answer

Photograph and the signer's home address only

Answer

Signature and an employer's logo

Answer

Physical description and a witness's business card

Question 4

The name on the document reads 'Margaret A. Sullivan' but the signer's license reads 'Peggy Sullivan.' What is the notary's proper concern?

Accepted Answer

Whether the notary can be satisfied the ID identifies the person named in the document

Answer

Whether the document uses proper grammar

Answer

Nothing; nicknames are always acceptable automatically

Answer

Whether the license was issued in Rhode Island

Question 5

A foreign national who is not a U.S. resident asks for a notarization in Providence. Which credential is most clearly acceptable?

Accepted Answer

An unexpired foreign passport

Answer

A foreign library membership card

Answer

A handwritten letter from his embassy

Answer

An international phone bill in his name

Question 6

May a Rhode Island notary rely on another person's casual statement, without an oath, that the signer 'is who he says he is'?

Accepted Answer

No; a witness's verification counts only when made under oath or affirmation with the witness properly identified

Answer

Yes, if the person seems trustworthy

Answer

Yes, if the person is a lawyer

Answer

Yes, if the signer also shows a business card

Question 7

What is the primary legal purpose of requiring satisfactory evidence of identity before notarizing?

Accepted Answer

To deter fraud and impersonation in signed records

Answer

To collect demographic data for the state

Answer

To speed up document recording

Answer

To confirm the signer can read English