VA Notary Signer Identity Verification 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the primary duty of a Virginia notary when identifying a document signer?
- Verify the document's legal accuracy
- Confirm the signer's identity through satisfactory evidence before performing the notarial act (Correct answer)
- Check the signer's credit history
- Verify the signer's marital status
Correct answer: Confirm the signer's identity through satisfactory evidence before performing the notarial act
The notary must verify the signer's identity through satisfactory evidence before proceeding with any notarial act.
Question 2: Which of the following is considered 'satisfactory evidence' of identity under Virginia law?
- A utility bill in the signer's name
- A current, government-issued photo ID such as a driver's license or passport (Correct answer)
- A business card
- A voter registration card without a photo
Correct answer: A current, government-issued photo ID such as a driver's license or passport
A current government-issued photo ID with a physical description and signature is satisfactory evidence of identity.
Question 3: May a Virginia notary identify a signer through the oath of a credible identifying witness?
- No, only government IDs are accepted
- Yes, a credible witness known to the notary can vouch for an unidentified signer (Correct answer)
- Only for acknowledgments, not jurats
- Only if two witnesses are present
Correct answer: Yes, a credible witness known to the notary can vouch for an unidentified signer
Virginia law allows a credible identifying witness personally known to the notary to vouch for the identity of a signer the notary does not personally know.
Question 4: A Virginia notary personally knows the signer. Is additional identification required?
- Yes, a government ID is always required
- No — personal knowledge of the signer is satisfactory evidence of identity (Correct answer)
- Only if the document involves real estate
- Only if the notary has not seen the signer in over one year
Correct answer: No — personal knowledge of the signer is satisfactory evidence of identity
Personal knowledge of the signer is explicitly recognized as satisfactory evidence of identity under Virginia law.
Question 5: What should a Virginia notary do if a signer's identification document has expired?
- Accept it if the photo still looks like the signer
- Decline to notarize unless another form of current satisfactory evidence is available (Correct answer)
- Accept it with a note in the journal
- Call the DMV to verify the ID
Correct answer: Decline to notarize unless another form of current satisfactory evidence is available
An expired ID generally does not qualify as satisfactory evidence; the notary should seek current, valid identification.
Question 6: If a signer is unable to produce satisfactory identification and no credible witness is available, a Virginia notary should:
- Notarize anyway if the signer looks trustworthy
- Refuse the notarization (Correct answer)
- Accept any document the signer provides as a substitute
- Contact the Secretary of the Commonwealth for guidance
Correct answer: Refuse the notarization
Without satisfactory evidence of identity, the notary must refuse the notarization to prevent fraud.
VA Notary Signer Identity Verification 1
What is the primary duty of a Virginia notary when identifying a document signer?