New York Notary Public Exam
Identifying signers: practice questions
Our New York Notary bank has 4 questions on this topic. Here are 3 of them with answers; the full mock exam draws from every topic, like the real one.
Question 1
What should a notary do if unsure that the signer is who they claim to be?
- Ask the signer to come back with a friend
- Refuse to notarize
- Notarize and note the doubt on the certificate
- Notarize if the signer pays extra
Show the answer
B. Refuse to notarize — A false certificate of identity is misconduct.
Question 2
How must a New York notary identify a person for an acknowledgment?
- By personal knowledge or satisfactory evidence that the person is the one described in the document
- By checking the person's signature against an old document
- Only by a government ID; personal knowledge is never allowed
- By asking the person to state their name aloud
Show the answer
A. By personal knowledge or satisfactory evidence that the person is the one described in the document — New York accepts personal knowledge or satisfactory evidence.
Question 3
May a New York notary take an acknowledgment by telephone?
- Yes, for documents under five pages
- No, the person must appear before the notary
- Yes, if the signer faxes or emails a copy of their photo ID
- Yes, if the notary recognizes the voice
Show the answer
B. No, the person must appear before the notary — Traditional acts need personal appearance; electronic acts need live audio-video.