Chapter 2 of 518% of exam
Identifying the Signer
Utah'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 Utah 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 of identity.
Satisfactory evidence means an acceptable ID or the oath of a credible witness.
A signer stating their own name is never sufficient.
Acceptable identification
When relying on a document, it must have the features that make it trustworthy.
A current government photo ID with a signature and identifying number qualifies: driver's license, state ID, passport, or military ID.
Loyalty cards, Social Security cards, credit cards, and utility bills do not qualify.
The ID should be current and undamaged so its features can be confirmed.
Credible witnesses and refusal
A credible witness is a backup path, but comes with strict conditions, and 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.