Illinois Notary Primer Practice Exam

What action should a notary take if a signer cannot provide satisfactory identification?

1. Reject the notarization request

2. Use a credible identifying witness

3. Request additional identification documents

4. Notarize without identifying information

The correct answer is: Use a credible identifying witness

When a signer cannot provide satisfactory identification, utilizing a credible identifying witness is a valid and effective action for a notary to take. In such cases, the notary can proceed with the notarization by having a credible witness, who is personally known to both the notary and the signer, affirm the identity of the signer. This witness should have valid identification themselves and be able to confirm the identity of the signer, thus ensuring that the notarization process maintains its integrity. Using a credible witness is specifically permissible under notary laws, allowing the notary to fulfill their legal obligation while also protecting the interests of all parties involved. This option is particularly useful in scenarios where identification may be lost, expired, or otherwise unavailable but where the credible witness can provide assurance of the signer's identity. Other options, like rejecting the notarization outright or requesting additional documents, may not provide a solution to the immediate problem of verifying identity. Notarizing without any identifying information is not permissible, as this could lead to fraud and undermine the purpose of notarization. Therefore, the use of a credible identifying witness stands out as the most appropriate and law-compliant method in this situation.