WV Notary Signer Identification Methods 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Under West Virginia's Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts, a driver's license used to identify a signer may be expired for no more than how long?
- Six months
- One year
- It must be unexpired
- Three years (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Three years
WV Code 39-4-7 allows a passport, driver's license, or government-issued nondriver ID that is current or expired not more than three years.
Question 2: A signer presents a gym membership card with a photo and signature. Why is this NOT satisfactory evidence of identity in West Virginia?
- Membership cards are only valid for witnesses
- It has no expiration date
- It is not issued by a government agency (Correct answer)
- It lacks a barcode
Correct answer: It is not issued by a government agency
Satisfactory evidence requires a government-issued identification credential, which a private gym card is not.
Question 3: Which method of identification requires no physical document at all?
- A credible witness statement in writing
- A certified copy of a birth certificate
- A notarized affidavit of identity
- Personal knowledge of the signer by the notary (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Personal knowledge of the signer by the notary
A notary who personally knows the individual may identify the signer without any ID document.
Question 4: A credible witness is used to identify a signer. The witness must be identified by the notary through which of the following?
- A second credible witness only
- A sworn written statement alone
- Personal knowledge or a qualifying government-issued ID (Correct answer)
- The signer's confirmation of the witness's identity
Correct answer: Personal knowledge or a qualifying government-issued ID
The notary must personally know the credible witness or verify the witness with satisfactory identification such as a passport or driver's license.
Question 5: What must a credible witness do before vouching for a signer's identity?
- Pay a witness fee
- Sign the document as a co-signer
- Provide fingerprints
- Take an oath or affirmation before the notary (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Take an oath or affirmation before the notary
The credible witness must give verification on oath or affirmation that the individual is who they claim to be.
Question 6: A West Virginia notary is unsure about a signer's ID even though it appears valid. What may the notary do?
- Notarize but note doubts in the certificate
- Ask the signer to sign twice
- Accept it since it appears valid on its face
- Require additional information or identification credentials (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Require additional information or identification credentials
WV law expressly permits a notary to require additional information or credentials to assure the individual's identity.
Question 7: Which of the following is generally acceptable to identify a foreign national in West Virginia?
- A handwritten letter from an embassy
- A foreign library card
- A passport issued by a foreign government (Correct answer)
- A photocopy of a foreign birth certificate
Correct answer: A passport issued by a foreign government
A passport, including a foreign one, is a government-issued identification credential acceptable under WV law.
WV Notary Signer Identification Methods 2
Under West Virginia's Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts, a driver's license used to identify a signer may be expired for no more than how long?