SC Notary - South Carolina Notary Identifying Document Signers Questions and Answers

Question 1

A signer appears before a South Carolina notary but does not have an acceptable form of identification.
The signer's spouse is present and is personally known to the notary.
The spouse offers to vouch for the signer's identity.
What is this method of identification called?

Accepted Answer

Verification on Oath of a Credible Witness

Answer

Personal Knowledge

Answer

Subscribing Witness Identification

Answer

Satisfactory Acquaintance

Question 2

Which of the following is NOT an acceptable document for identifying a signer for a traditional notarial act in South Carolina?

Accepted Answer

A university-issued student photo ID card

Answer

A valid foreign passport with a photograph

Answer

A current U.S. military identification card

Answer

A current South Carolina driver's license

Question 3

Under South Carolina law, what does 'personal knowledge' of a signer's identity mean for a notary public?

Accepted Answer

The notary has familiarity with the individual from interactions over time sufficient to eliminate reasonable doubt.

Answer

The notary has met the signer once before in a professional setting.

Answer

The signer was referred to the notary by a trusted colleague.

Answer

The notary has a signed affidavit from the signer attesting to their identity.

Question 4

A signer, who is a citizen of another country, presents a valid, unexpired passport issued by their home country's government. The passport contains a photo and the signer's signature. Is this an acceptable form of identification for a notarization in South Carolina?

Accepted Answer

Yes, because a current passport is explicitly listed as an acceptable form of identification.

Answer

No, because the passport was not issued by a U.S. federal or state agency.

Answer

No, because the notary cannot verify the security features of a foreign document.

Answer

Yes, but only if the signer also provides a secondary form of U.S.-issued identification.

Question 5

A notary is asked to perform a notarization for a person who has an expired South Carolina driver's license. The photo clearly matches the signer. What is the correct action for the notary to take?

Accepted Answer

Refuse to notarize based on the expired ID and ask for a different, current form of identification.

Answer

Accept the license since the photo is a clear match.

Answer

Proceed with the notarization but make a note in the journal that the ID was expired.

Answer

Ask the signer to get a temporary license from the DMV before returning.

Question 6

When using a credible witness to identify a principal signer, what is the primary requirement for the witness according to South Carolina notary law?

Accepted Answer

The witness must be personally known to the notary.

Answer

The witness must be a family member of the signer.

Answer

The witness must sign an affidavit of identity.

Answer

The witness must present two forms of their own identification.