TX NNJE Signer Identification 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: For a Texas Remote Online Notarization (RON), what additional identification method may be used beyond a photo ID?
- A verbal description by the signer
- Knowledge-based authentication (KBA) questions (Correct answer)
- A voiceprint scan
- A letter from the signer's attorney
Correct answer: Knowledge-based authentication (KBA) questions
Texas RON rules permit knowledge-based authentication (KBA), which involves dynamic questions about the signer's personal history to verify identity remotely.
Question 2: In a Texas notary journal, signer identification information should be recorded:
- Only if the notary suspects fraud
- For every notarial act, without exception (Correct answer)
- Only when notarizing real estate documents
- Only when the notary personally does not know the signer
Correct answer: For every notarial act, without exception
Best practice requires documenting the identification method used for every notarial act, not just those where fraud is suspected.
Question 3: A signer presents a foreign passport as identification for a Texas notarization. Is this acceptable?
- No, only U.S. government-issued IDs are acceptable
- Yes, a current foreign passport is generally acceptable (Correct answer)
- Yes, but only if the signer is a diplomat
- No, foreign IDs are never permitted
Correct answer: Yes, a current foreign passport is generally acceptable
A current foreign passport is generally an acceptable form of identification for Texas notarizations because it is government-issued and contains a photograph.
Question 4: What must a Texas notary do if they cannot satisfactorily identify a signer?
- Proceed if the signer seems honest
- Refuse to perform the notarial act (Correct answer)
- Contact the document recipient for guidance
- Ask the signer's employer to vouch for them informally
Correct answer: Refuse to perform the notarial act
If a notary cannot positively identify a signer through an acceptable method, the notary must refuse to perform the notarial act.
Question 5: A signer's name on the document does not exactly match their ID. What should a Texas notary do?
- Proceed if the photo matches
- Investigate whether the discrepancy is minor (e.g., middle name omission) or significant before deciding to proceed or refuse (Correct answer)
- Always refuse if names do not match exactly
- Correct the document to match the ID
Correct answer: Investigate whether the discrepancy is minor (e.g., middle name omission) or significant before deciding to proceed or refuse
Minor name discrepancies (such as a missing middle name) may be acceptable, but significant differences require the notary to investigate before proceeding.
Question 6: Under best practice, how should a Texas notary record the identification of a signer who used a credible witness?
- Record the credible witness's name and ID information in the journal (Correct answer)
- Record only the signer's name
- Note that no ID was required
- List the credible witness's phone number only
Correct answer: Record the credible witness's name and ID information in the journal
When a credible witness vouches for a signer, the journal entry should include the witness's name and ID information to fully document the identification method.
TX NNJE Signer Identification 2
For a Texas Remote Online Notarization (RON), what additional identification method may be used beyond a photo ID?