Signer Identity Verification Flashcards

A Virginia notary is presented with an ID that looks altered. The notary should:

Answer: Refuse the notarization and, if appropriate, report the suspicious activity

An apparently altered ID is not satisfactory evidence of identity; the notary should refuse and may report suspected fraud.

Which situation allows a Virginia notary to rely on personal knowledge of a signer WITHOUT requiring any ID?

Answer: When the notary has personal, firsthand knowledge of the signer's identity from a prior relationship

Genuine personal knowledge from a prior relationship satisfies the identity verification requirement without additional ID.

For Virginia RON purposes, knowledge-based authentication (KBA) requires the signer to answer questions about:

Answer: Their personal history drawn from public and private records to confirm their identity

KBA uses questions derived from the signer's personal history — credit, public records, and other data — to verify identity remotely.

A Virginia notary who willfully notarizes for a person they know is not who they claim to be may face:

Answer: Criminal charges and/or commission revocation

Notarizing for an impostor is fraud and can result in criminal prosecution and loss of the notary commission.

May a Virginia notary accept a signer's thumbprint in the journal as an additional identity safeguard?

Answer: Yes, collecting a thumbprint is a recommended additional identity safeguard for high-risk documents

Collecting a thumbprint in the journal is a best practice for high-risk notarizations as it provides biometric identity evidence.

When a signer presents two forms of ID to a Virginia notary, the notary should:

Answer: Review both and note them in the journal, as multiple IDs can strengthen identity confidence

Reviewing both IDs and documenting them strengthens the identity verification record and reduces fraud risk.