WV Notary Identification and Verification 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Under West Virginia's Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts, an identification document used to verify a signer's identity may be expired for no more than how long?
- Three years (Correct answer)
- One year
- Six months
- It must be unexpired
Correct answer: Three years
RULONA in West Virginia permits identification documents that are current or expired not more than three years before the notarial act.
Question 2: A signer presents a library card with a photo but no government issuer. Why is this insufficient as satisfactory evidence of identity in West Virginia?
- It is not issued by a federal, state, or foreign government (Correct answer)
- It lacks the signer's address
- It is not laminated
- Library cards expire too quickly
Correct answer: It is not issued by a federal, state, or foreign government
Acceptable identification must be issued by a federal, state, or foreign government, which a library card is not.
Question 3: Which of the following is a valid way for a West Virginia notary to identify a signer without any identification document?
- Personal knowledge of the signer's identity (Correct answer)
- The signer's verbal statement of their own name
- A photocopy of an old ID
- A utility bill with the signer's name
Correct answer: Personal knowledge of the signer's identity
A notary may identify a signer through personal knowledge, meaning the individual is personally known to the notary through dealings sufficient to provide reasonable certainty of identity.
Question 4: A credible witness vouching for a signer's identity in West Virginia must first do which of the following?
- Take an oath or affirmation before the notary (Correct answer)
- Pay a witness fee
- Sign the notarized document as a co-signer
- Present two forms of identification
Correct answer: Take an oath or affirmation before the notary
A credible witness must make a verification on oath or affirmation before the notary attesting to the signer's identity.
Question 5: A signer presents a foreign passport that is current and contains a photograph and signature. May a West Virginia notary accept it?
- Yes, a passport issued by a foreign government is acceptable identification (Correct answer)
- No, only U.S. documents are allowed
- Only if it includes a U.S. visa stamp
- Only if the signer also shows a Social Security card
Correct answer: Yes, a passport issued by a foreign government is acceptable identification
West Virginia law accepts a passport or other government-issued identification, including one issued by a foreign government, if it contains the signer's photograph or signature.
Question 6: If a West Virginia notary is not fully satisfied with the identification presented, what is the notary permitted to do?
- Require additional information or identification credentials (Correct answer)
- Notarize anyway and note the doubt in the certificate
- Charge a higher fee to offset the risk
- Ask a family member of the signer to confirm by phone
Correct answer: Require additional information or identification credentials
A notary may require additional information or identification credentials necessary to assure the identity of the individual.
Question 7: What is the primary purpose of verifying a signer's identity before performing a notarial act?
- To prevent fraud and forgery by confirming the person is who they claim to be (Correct answer)
- To collect demographic data for the state
- To confirm the signer can afford the notary fee
- To ensure the signer is a West Virginia resident
Correct answer: To prevent fraud and forgery by confirming the person is who they claim to be
Identity verification exists to deter fraud by ensuring the person executing the document is actually the person named in it.
WV Notary Identification and Verification 2
Under West Virginia's Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts, an identification document used to verify a signer's identity may be expired for no more than how long?