California Notary Public ExamIdentification of SignersHard
A Notary Public is performing a notarization for a signer who does not possess any of the statutory forms of identification. The signer presents two individuals who attest to the signer's identity. These two individuals know the signer personally but do not know the Notary Public. Which condition must be met for the Notary Public to proceed with the notarization using these witnesses?
- AThe Notary Public must have known the signer for at least five years.
- BBoth credible identifying witnesses must present statutory identification to the Notary Public.
- CAt least one credible identifying witness must know the Notary Public personally.
- DThe Notary Public must have personal knowledge of both credible identifying witnesses.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: B. Both credible identifying witnesses must present statutory identification to the Notary Public.
When using two credible identifying witnesses, the witnesses themselves must be identified by the notary using satisfactory evidence, typically statutory identification. They do not need to know the notary, but they must know the signer and swear or affirm to the signer's identity.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. The notary's personal knowledge of the signer is a separate method of identification and not relevant to the two-credible-witness process.
- C. This is incorrect; neither witness needs to know the Notary Public in the two-witness scenario.
- D. This describes the 'one credible identifying witness known to the notary' scenario, not the 'two credible witnesses' scenario.
Two Credible Witnesses (Notary Unknown)
When using two credible identifying witnesses, the witnesses must provide satisfactory evidence of their own identity to the notary, know the signer, and be able to attest to the signer's identity under oath or affirmation.
- Two individuals are required.
- Witnesses must present acceptable ID to the notary.
- Witnesses must know the signer personally.
- Witnesses must swear/affirm to the signer's identity.
- Witnesses do not need to know the notary.
Memory trick: Two witnesses, two IDs for them, one oath for the signer.