RI Notary Signer Identity Verification 5

Question 1

Identical twins arrive and one asks to sign a power of attorney. The notary personally knows the family but cannot tell the twins apart. The notary should:

Accepted Answer

Require satisfactory identification or other lawful verification rather than rely on uncertain personal knowledge

Answer

Rely on personal knowledge of the family

Answer

Ask the other twin to confirm which one is signing

Answer

Have both twins sign to be safe

Question 2

A signer presents a valid U.S. military ID card. For Rhode Island notarial purposes, this credential is:

Accepted Answer

Acceptable, as it is a government-issued photo identification

Answer

Unacceptable because it is federal, not state

Answer

Acceptable only on military bases

Answer

Acceptable only with a second ID

Question 3

For a remote online notarization by a Rhode Island notary, identity of a remotely located individual is typically verified by:

Accepted Answer

Personal knowledge, a sworn credible witness, or identity proofing plus credential analysis through the audio-video technology

Answer

Emailing a scan of the license before the session

Answer

The signer holding the ID up to the camera with no further checks

Answer

A phone call from the signer's employer

Question 4

A woman recently married presents an ID in her maiden name but must sign the deed in her married name. The notary can best resolve this by:

Accepted Answer

Requesting additional documentation or credentials that satisfactorily link her to the name on the deed

Answer

Refusing because names must always match exactly with no recourse

Answer

Whiting out the maiden name on the ID

Answer

Notarizing under the maiden name without telling anyone

Question 5

Which statement about a credible witness's own identification is correct in Rhode Island?

Accepted Answer

The witness must be personally known to the notary or present satisfactory identification

Answer

The witness never needs identification because only the signer matters

Answer

The witness needs ID only for real estate transactions

Answer

The witness may identify himself with a business card

Question 6

A signer becomes angry and says checking ID is insulting because 'everyone in town knows me.' The notary who does not know the signer should:

Accepted Answer

Politely explain that the law requires satisfactory evidence of identity and decline to proceed without it

Answer

Waive the requirement to avoid conflict

Answer

Accept a bystander's nod as confirmation

Answer

Notarize but write 'identity not verified' in the certificate

Question 7

A notary who knowingly notarizes for an impostor faces which potential consequences in Rhode Island?

Accepted Answer

Revocation or suspension of the commission plus possible civil and criminal liability

Answer

Only a small administrative fee

Answer

No consequences if the document is never recorded

Answer

Consequences only if the impostor confesses