VA Notary Signer Identity Verification 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which of the following IDs would be acceptable for a Virginia notary to use in verifying a signer's identity?
- An expired foreign passport
- A current US military ID card with photo (Correct answer)
- A library card
- A Social Security card
Correct answer: A current US military ID card with photo
A current US military ID is a government-issued photo identification card and qualifies as satisfactory evidence of identity.
Question 2: When using a credible witness to identify a signer in Virginia, the notary should record what in their journal?
- Only the witness's name
- The witness's name, their relationship to the signer, and the ID used to identify the witness (Correct answer)
- The signer's self-declaration
- Nothing additional beyond the standard entry
Correct answer: The witness's name, their relationship to the signer, and the ID used to identify the witness
Documenting the credible witness's identity and basis for vouching creates a complete record of the identification method used.
Question 3: A signer presents a foreign passport as their only ID. May a Virginia notary use it for identity verification?
- No — only US-issued IDs are acceptable
- Yes, if it is current, bears a photo, and appears to be genuine (Correct answer)
- Only if the notary speaks the language of the issuing country
- Only for immigration-related documents
Correct answer: Yes, if it is current, bears a photo, and appears to be genuine
A current foreign passport that bears a photo and physical description is acceptable evidence of identity in Virginia.
Question 4: What should a Virginia notary do when a signer's appearance does not match their photo ID?
- Accept it and note the discrepancy in the journal
- Require additional identification or refuse the notarization (Correct answer)
- Call the police immediately
- Ask other people present to confirm the signer's identity
Correct answer: Require additional identification or refuse the notarization
A significant discrepancy between the signer and their ID raises doubt about identity, requiring additional evidence or refusal.
Question 5: A Virginia notary's spouse presents a document for notarization. May the notary identify and notarize for their spouse?
- No, Virginia law prohibits notarizing for any family member
- Yes, if the notary has no financial interest in the document and can identify them properly (Correct answer)
- Only if a second notary witnesses the act
- Only for non-legal documents
Correct answer: Yes, if the notary has no financial interest in the document and can identify them properly
Virginia law does not categorically prohibit notarizing for relatives as long as the notary has no disqualifying financial interest.
Question 6: Under Virginia remote online notarization (RON), identity verification typically involves:
- Only a telephone call
- Knowledge-based authentication (KBA) and credential analysis of the signer's ID (Correct answer)
- The signer mailing a copy of their ID
- Only a live video review without ID analysis
Correct answer: Knowledge-based authentication (KBA) and credential analysis of the signer's ID
Virginia RON requires identity verification through knowledge-based authentication and credential analysis of the signer's government-issued ID.
VA Notary Signer Identity Verification 2
Which of the following IDs would be acceptable for a Virginia notary to use in verifying a signer's identity?