Chapter 2 of 518% of exam
Identifying the Signer
Maine's rules for verifying identity by personal knowledge or satisfactory evidence, and the conditions for using a credible witness.
Personal knowledge or satisfactory evidence
A Maine notary may rely on actually knowing the signer or on satisfactory evidence of identity.
Personal knowledge means the notary knows the individual well enough to have no reasonable doubt.
Satisfactory evidence means an acceptable ID or the oath of a credible witness.
A signer stating their own name is never sufficient.
Acceptable identification
A document used for identification must have the features that make it trustworthy.
A current government photo ID with a signature and identifying number qualifies: passport, driver's license, state ID, or military ID.
Shopper cards, Social Security cards, and utility bills do not qualify.
The ID should be current so its features can be confirmed.
Credible witnesses and refusal
A credible witness is a backup path with strict conditions, and unresolved doubt requires refusal.
The witness must personally know the signer and be known to or identified by the notary.
The notary must place the witness under oath before relying on them.
A witness should have no financial interest in the transaction.
If identity cannot be established, the notary must refuse the act.