Indiana Notary Public — All Questions

How may an Indiana notary establish a signer's identity?

• a.By the signer's verbal claim of identity
• b.Only by a co-signer's statement
• c.By personal knowledge of the signer, or by satisfactory evidence such as a current government photo ID or a credible witness✓
• d.Only by an Indiana driver's license

Indiana's modernized law allows identification by the notary's personal knowledge of the signer, or by satisfactory evidence: a current government-issued photo ID bearing a signature, or the oath of a credible witness who knows the signer.Indiana Code Title 33, Art. 42; Indiana Notary Public Guide

Which is acceptable identification for an Indiana notarization?

• a.A voter registration postcard
• b.A warehouse-club card
• c.A current U.S. passport✓
• d.A Social Security card

Acceptable ID is a current government-issued document with the signer's photo, signature, and an identifying number, such as a passport, driver's license, state ID, or military ID. Club cards, Social Security cards, and voter postcards do not qualify.Indiana Code Title 33, Art. 42; Indiana Notary Public Guide

An Indiana signer lacks ID but brings a credible witness. What is required before relying on the witness?

• a.The witness's ID is copied onto the certificate
• b.Nothing; the witness is automatically enough
• c.The witness must personally know the signer, be identified to the notary, and take an oath vouching for the signer's identity✓
• d.The witness signs the document

A credible witness must personally know the signer, be personally known to or identified by the notary, and take an oath or affirmation as to the signer's identity. Only a sworn, qualifying witness may substitute for missing identification.Indiana Code Title 33, Art. 42; Indiana Notary Public Guide

If an Indiana notary cannot confirm a signer's identity by any allowed method, what must the notary do?

• a.Refuse to perform the notarization✓
• b.Rely on the signer's spoken name
• c.Perform it and note the doubt
• d.Accept a very old expired ID

When identity cannot be established through personal knowledge, an acceptable ID, or a credible witness, the notary must refuse. Notarizing despite genuine doubt about identity defeats the fraud-prevention purpose of the office.Indiana Notary Public Guide (Indiana Secretary of State)