WA Notary Identification and Credible Witnesses 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What qualifications must a credible witness meet in Washington to identify a signer?
- Must be a licensed attorney or notary
- Must personally know the signer, be personally known to the notary, and have no financial interest in the document (Correct answer)
- Must be a government official
- Must be at least 65 years old
Correct answer: Must personally know the signer, be personally known to the notary, and have no financial interest in the document
A Washington credible witness must personally know the signer, be known to the notary, and have no interest in the document being notarized.
Question 2: Can the signer's spouse serve as a credible witness in Washington?
- Yes, spouses are always acceptable
- No, a spouse typically has a financial interest in the document and is disqualified (Correct answer)
- Yes, if the document does not involve marital property
- Yes, if the notary approves
Correct answer: No, a spouse typically has a financial interest in the document and is disqualified
A spouse is generally disqualified as a credible witness because they often have a financial interest in the document being notarized.
Question 3: What must a Washington notary do after relying on a credible witness to identify a signer?
- File a report with the Secretary of State
- Record the credible witness's name and ID information in the notary journal (Correct answer)
- Have the credible witness sign the document
- Obtain a letter from the credible witness
Correct answer: Record the credible witness's name and ID information in the notary journal
The notary should record the credible witness's name and identifying information in the notary journal when using this identification method.
Question 4: Which of the following IDs would a Washington notary NOT accept as satisfactory evidence of identity?
- A current U.S. passport
- A current Washington State driver's license
- A recent utility bill with the signer's name and address (Correct answer)
- A current U.S. military ID
Correct answer: A recent utility bill with the signer's name and address
A utility bill is not a government-issued photo ID and does not meet the standard for satisfactory identification in Washington.
Question 5: A signer presents a foreign passport to a Washington notary. Is this acceptable identification?
- No, only U.S.-issued documents are acceptable
- Yes, a current foreign passport is acceptable satisfactory evidence of identity (Correct answer)
- Only if translated into English
- Only with a visa stamp
Correct answer: Yes, a current foreign passport is acceptable satisfactory evidence of identity
A current foreign passport is generally considered satisfactory evidence of identity in Washington, as it is a government-issued photo ID.
Question 6: What should a Washington notary do if they suspect a signer's ID is fraudulent?
- Complete the notarization with a note about the suspicion
- Refuse to notarize and do not retain the ID (Correct answer)
- Call the police immediately and detain the signer
- Ask a second notary to verify the ID
Correct answer: Refuse to notarize and do not retain the ID
If a notary suspects an ID is fraudulent, they should refuse to perform the notarial act; they should not detain the person or confiscate the ID.
WA Notary Identification and Credible Witnesses 2
What qualifications must a credible witness meet in Washington to identify a signer?