WI Notary Signer Identification Requirements 3

Question 1

What must a credible witness affirm or swear when helping to identify a signer before a Wisconsin notary?

Accepted Answer

That they personally know the signer and that the signer lacks acceptable identification

Answer

That they are a U.S. citizen and Wisconsin resident

Answer

That they are not related to the signer by blood or marriage

Answer

That the contents of the document being notarized are accurate

Question 2

A Wisconsin notary cannot identify the signer through any available means and cannot locate any credible witnesses. What is the correct course of action?

Accepted Answer

Decline to perform the notarial act

Answer

Proceed with the notarization and note the uncertainty in the journal

Answer

Accept any form of ID the signer can provide, including informal documents

Answer

Have the signer sign a written self-certification of identity and proceed

Question 3

Which of the following would NOT satisfy Wisconsin notary identification requirements for a document signer?

Accepted Answer

A voter registration card that contains no photograph

Answer

A current Wisconsin driver's license

Answer

A valid U.S. military identification card

Answer

A current U.S. passport card

Question 4

What is a potential consequence for a Wisconsin notary who fails to properly verify the identity of a document signer?

Accepted Answer

The notary may face disciplinary action and civil liability for resulting damages

Answer

The document is automatically void and unenforceable by law

Answer

Only the document signer faces legal penalties, not the notary

Answer

There are no legal consequences if the notary acted in good faith

Question 5

A signer presents a Wisconsin driver's license that expired 2 years ago. According to Wisconsin notary law, should the notary accept this as identification?

Accepted Answer

Yes — it expired within the last 3 years and is therefore acceptable

Answer

No — expired IDs are never acceptable under any circumstances

Answer

Only if accompanied by a second, current form of identification

Answer

Only for documents that do not involve real property transactions

Question 6

If a Wisconsin notary has reasonable cause to believe a signer's identification document is fraudulent or altered, what must the notary do?

Accepted Answer

Refuse to perform the notarial act

Answer

Proceed with notarization and note the suspicion in the journal

Answer

Accept the document if it otherwise appears genuine on its face

Answer

Call law enforcement immediately and then proceed after they clear the signer

Question 7

Under Wisconsin notary law, can a valid tribal identification card issued by a federally recognized Native American tribe satisfy identification requirements?

Accepted Answer

Yes — if it contains a photograph and signature of the individual

Answer

No — only state and federal government IDs are acceptable in Wisconsin

Answer

Only if accompanied by a birth certificate or Social Security card

Answer

Only when the notarial act involves a member of that specific tribe