California Notary Public ExamIdentification of SignersMedium
A Notary Public is asked to notarize a document for a signer who does not have any of the statutory forms of identification. Two individuals, who personally know the signer and are unrelated to the transaction, are present and willing to attest to the signer's identity. What is the maximum number of credible identifying witnesses required for this situation?
- ANo credible identifying witnesses are allowed in this scenario.
- BThree credible identifying witnesses.
- COne credible identifying witness.
- DTwo credible identifying witnesses.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: D. Two credible identifying witnesses.
When a signer lacks statutory identification, California law requires two credible identifying witnesses to establish identity, provided they meet specific criteria.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Credible identifying witnesses are specifically allowed for this type of scenario.
- B. Three witnesses are never required by California law for identification.
- C. One credible witness is only acceptable if the notary personally knows that witness.
Two Credible Identifying Witnesses
When a signer lacks satisfactory evidence of identification, two credible identifying witnesses may be used if they each present statutory identification, personally know the signer, and are not a party to or have a financial interest in the document.
- Required when signer has no statutory ID.
- Each witness must have statutory ID.
- Witnesses must personally know the signer.
- Witnesses must be impartial (no financial interest/party to document).
Memory trick: Two witnesses stand, with ID in hand, for a signer's identity, across the land.