Notary Public Handbook: Verifying Signer Information

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Questions and Answers

What specific types of records are notary publics typically restricted from certifying?

Copies of vital records like birth, marriage, and death certificates. (correct)
Copies of financial statements.
Copies of academic transcripts.
Copies of property deeds.

Under what conditions can a notary public administer a jurat for an affidavit that includes the affiant's birthdate or age?

If the affiant provides a sworn statement from a licensed physician.
Only if the affidavit is related to a court case within the notary's jurisdiction.
Only if the affiant is a blood relative of the notary public.
If the affidavit also includes a photograph, fingerprints, or thumbprints of the affiant. (correct)

When a jurat includes the signer's birthdate or age along with a photograph or thumbprint, what additional verification step must the notary public take?

Require the signer to verify their birthdate or age by showing a certified copy of their birth certificate or acceptable identification. (correct)
Compare the signer’s signature to signatures on file with local banks.
Contact the signer's next of kin.
Administer a polygraph test to verify the signer's identity.

In the presented example, why was Nancy Notary initially unable to complete the jurat for Paul Jones?

Paul Jones only presented a photocopy of his birth certificate. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of a notary public verifying the identity of an individual signing a document?

To verify only the identity of the individual who signed the document. (C) Signup and view all the answers

According to the example, which document did Paul Jones ultimately present to Nancy Notary as a satisfactory form of identification?

A certified copy of his birth certificate. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What action did Nancy Notary take after Paul Jones provided the required certified copy of his birth certificate?

She re-administered the oath or affirmation and completed the jurat. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Besides the birth certificate, what other forms of identification are typically acceptable for verifying a signer's birthdate or age for a jurat, according to the content?

An identification card or driver's license issued by the California Department of Motor Vehicles. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What additional step did Nancy Notary take to properly document the notarization process?

She recorded Paul's information in her sequential journal. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Concerning documents requiring notarization that include personal information like birthdates and thumbprints, what is the core principle a notary upholds?

Verifying the signer's identity and ensuring they personally swear to the document's contents. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

What is a Jurat?

A sworn statement included in an affidavit, certifying the details like birthdate or age of the affiant, sometimes with a photo, fingerprints, or thumbprints.

What can a notary public do with a jurat?

A Notary Public can administer an oath or affirmation and give a jurat for an affidavit that states the birthdate or age of the affiant, and/or includes a photograph of the affiant and/or fingerprints or thumbprints of the affiant

Verification Requirement

If a jurat includes the signer's birthdate/age and a photograph/fingerprint, the notary must ensure the signer verifies their birthdate/age.

Self-Certification

Signers can certify their own vital information (like birthdate) by swearing to the contents of a document containing that information.

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Acceptable Verification Documents

Certified copy of birth certificate, identification card, or driver's license issued by the California Department of Motor Vehicles.

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Study Notes

A notary public is restricted from certifying copies of vital records like birth, marriage, or death certificates.
Notaries can administer oaths or affirmations and provide a jurat for affidavits that include the affiant's birthdate, age, photograph, fingerprints, or thumbprints.
Signers can certify their own vital information by swearing to the contents of a document.

Verifying Signer Information

When a jurat is for a document that includes the signer's birthdate, age, photograph, or fingerprint, the notary must verify this information.
Verification requires the signer to present a certified copy of their birth certificate, an identification card, or a driver's license issued by the California Department of Motor Vehicles.

Example Scenario: Paul Jones

Paul Jones and his children created a family company to distribute their homemade products.
On July 1, 2016, Paul sought a bank loan and visited Nancy Notary in Monterey County.
Paul provided a family document showing his age and thumbprint for his loan application.
Nancy could not complete the jurat until Paul returned on August 3, 2016, with a certified copy of his birth certificate.
Subsequently, Nancy re-administered the oath, completed the jurat, and recorded Paul's information along with the birth certificate review in her journal.

Standard Jurat Statement

A standard jurat statement verifies the identity of the signer but not the truthfulness, accuracy, or validity of the document.
Example: "Subscribed and sworn to (or affirmed) before me on this 3rd day of August, 2016, by Paul Jones, proved to me on the basis of satisfactory evidence to be the person(s) who appeared before me."
This statement includes the State of California and County of Monterey.

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