Document Identification and Verification Flashcards

When a Utah notary encounters a document written entirely in a foreign language, what is the notary's responsibility regarding the document's contents?

Answer: The notary has no duty to understand the document's contents — only to certify the notarial act

A notary's duty is to certify the notarial act — not to comprehend the document's content — so foreign-language documents may be notarized.

A Utah notary reviews an ID document and suspects it may be altered or counterfeit. What should the notary do?

Answer: Refuse to perform the notarial act if they have reasonable doubt about the ID's authenticity

If a notary has reasonable doubt about the authenticity of an ID document, they should decline to perform the notarial act.

What does the term 'satisfactory evidence' mean in the context of Utah notary identification requirements?

Answer: Identification that provides a reasonable basis for believing the signer is who they claim to be, as defined by Utah Code § 46-1-2

Utah Code § 46-1-2 defines 'satisfactory evidence' as identification methods that provide a reasonable, objective basis for the notary to believe the signer's claimed identity.

Under Utah notary law, can a notary public perform document authentication for use abroad (apostille)?

Answer: No, apostilles are issued by the Utah Lieutenant Governor's Office upon a properly notarized document — the notary prepares the document, not the apostille

Apostilles are issued by the Utah Lieutenant Governor's Office. The notary notarizes the underlying document, and the Lieutenant Governor authenticates the notary's signature with an apostille.

A Utah notary is asked to verify a photocopy of a passport. The signer claims the original is in a safety deposit box. What should the notary do?

Answer: Require the signer to present the original passport for identification purposes

Satisfactory evidence of identity requires the original government-issued document; a photocopy does not meet Utah Code § 46-1-2's requirements.

A document brought to a Utah notary has the signer's name spelled differently than on their ID. What should the notary do?

Answer: Notarize using the ID name and note the discrepancy

Best practice is to notarize using the name as it appears on the document (or ID), note any minor discrepancy in the journal, and have the signer clarify the situation if there is a significant difference.