California Notary Public ExamIdentification of SignersEasy
A California Notary Public is presented with a document for notarization. The signer provides a California Driver's License that expired two years ago. The signer insists the notary knows them well from church and should proceed. What should the Notary Public do?
- ANotarize the document but make a note in the journal that the ID was expired.
- BRefuse to notarize using the expired ID and request a current, acceptable form of identification.
- CAccept the expired ID but require an additional form of non-statutory identification.
- DProceed with the notarization based on personal knowledge since the notary knows the signer.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: B. Refuse to notarize using the expired ID and request a current, acceptable form of identification.
California law requires that identification documents presented to a Notary Public be current or issued within the last five years. An ID expired two years ago does not meet this requirement, and personal knowledge alone is not sufficient if statutory identification is required.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Notarizing with an unacceptable ID, even with a journal note, is a violation of notary law.
- C. Non-statutory identification cannot be used to supplement an expired statutory ID.
- D. Personal knowledge cannot override the requirement for a valid, unexpired statutory identification when one is presented.
Expired ID Refusal
A California Notary Public must refuse to accept an identification document that has expired beyond the legally permitted timeframe, typically five years or if it's no longer current.
- IDs must be current or issued within 5 years.
- Notaries cannot use personal knowledge to validate an expired ID.
- Refusal is mandatory if ID is unacceptable.
Memory trick: Expired IDs are a NO-GO, check the date, then you'll know!