Maine Notary Public — All Questions

How may a Maine notary establish a signer's identity?

• a.Only by a Maine driver's license
• b.Only by a relative'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.By the signer's spoken name

Under Maine's Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts, a notary may rely on personal knowledge of the signer, or on satisfactory evidence: a current government-issued photo ID bearing a signature, or the oath of a credible witness who knows the signer.Maine Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts; Maine Notary Public Handbook

Which is acceptable identification for a Maine notarization?

• a.A frequent-shopper card
• b.A current U.S. passport✓
• c.A Social Security card
• d.A utility bill

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. Shopper cards, Social Security cards, and utility bills do not qualify.Maine Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts; Maine Notary Public Handbook

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

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

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.Maine Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts; Maine Notary Public Handbook

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

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

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.Maine Notary Public Handbook (Maine Secretary of State)