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New York notary rules: identifying signers

What the New York Notary Public License Law says about identifying signers, as 10 exam-style questions with the answer and the exact rule.

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1. Which of the following is NOT a required element of the audio-video conference recording for an electronic notarial act?The discussion or display of personally identifiable information. The law specifies that the recording must exclude personally identifiable information, making its inclusion incorrect.
   New York Notary Public License Law, page 18: “The recording shall not include the discussion or display of any personally identifiable information”
2. According to §182.5(b)(1), which of the following is a required characteristic of a government-issued identification card used for satisfactory evidence of identity?It must include the signature of the bearer. The law lists the inclusion of the bearer's signature as requirement (iv) for identification cards.
   New York Notary Public License Law, page 17: “(iv) includes the signature of the bearer;”
3. In the context of electronic notarial acts under §182.5(d), how can an electronic notary public provide satisfactory evidence of identity for an individual appearing through communication technology?By attesting that the individual is personally known to them. Section 182.5(d) allows an electronic notary to use personal knowledge attestation as satisfactory evidence of identity, provided other requirements are met.
   New York Notary Public License Law, page 17: “Provided that all other requirements of this Part are met, attestation by an electronic notary public that an individual appearing through communication technology is personally known to them is satisfactory evidence of identity for electronic notarial acts.”
4. Under §182.5(b)(2), what is the minimum requirement for using documents to establish satisfactory evidence of identity?Two current documents issued by an institution, business entity, or government with at least the individual's signature. The rule specifies that satisfactory evidence can be provided by at least two current documents from specified sources containing the individual's signature.
   New York Notary Public License Law, page 17: “(2) at least two current documents issued by an institution, business entity, or federal or state government with at least the individual's signature;”
5. What is the minimum requirement for documents used to establish satisfactory evidence of identity under §182.5(b)(2)?Two current documents issued by an institution, business entity, or government with at least the individual's signature. The rule specifies that at least two current documents from specified sources containing the individual's signature are required.
   New York Notary Public License Law, page 17: “at least two current documents issued by an institution, business entity, or federal or state government with at least the individual's signature;”
6. What specific visual capability must the communication technology provide regarding identification cards during an electronic notarial act?It must permit the notary to view, read, and capture the front and back of any identification card presented. The regulation requires the technology to allow viewing, reading, and capturing both the front and back of the ID.
   New York Notary Public License Law, page 18: “(2) permit sufficient visual clarity to enable the notary to view, read, and capture the front and back of any identification card presented as verification of identity;”
7. When maintaining records for electronic notarial acts, what specific information regarding technology must be included if not part of the communication technology itself?The certification authority and verification providers used. The law lists certification authorities and verification providers as necessary record elements if not inherent to the technology.
   New York Notary Public License Law, page 18: “identification of the communication technology and, if not included as part of the communication technology used by the electronic notary, the certification authority and verification providers used.”
8. Under §304, what condition must be met regarding the officer's relationship to the subscribing witness before taking proof of execution?The officer must be personally acquainted with the witness or have satisfactory evidence of their identity. Section 304 mandates that the officer either knows the witness personally or has satisfactory evidence confirming the witness's identity.
   New York Notary Public License Law, page 11: “The proof must not be taken unless the officer is personally acquainted with such witness, or has satisfactory evidence that he is the same person, who was a subscribing witness to the conveyance.”
9. Under §182.5(b)(3), what constitutes satisfactory evidence of identity if no identification cards or documents are presented?Attestation by the notary that the individual is personally known to them. The notary can attest that the individual is personally known to them as a valid method of identity verification under this section.
   New York Notary Public License Law, page 17: “attestation by the notary that the individual is personally known to them;”
10. Which of the following is a mandatory requirement for all notaries public performing notarial acts in New York State regarding the identity of principals?They must obtain satisfactory evidence of the identity of any principal or other individual appearing before the notary in a manner authorized by this Part. The law mandates obtaining satisfactory evidence of identity in a manner authorized by the Part, without restricting it to specific ID types or excluding electronic methods.
    New York Notary Public License Law, page 16: “(2) obtain satisfactory evidence of the identity of any principal or other individual appearing before the notary in a manner authorized by this Part;”

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