Fast Five Q&A
Q: Our notary office received a call from a notary asking if they could accept a Global Entry Card. They shared that they have never heard of this type of card. Is it acceptable as a form of identification?
The Global Entry Card is issued by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Service. It is NOT acceptable for identification purposes by a notary as it does NOT meet the specific requirements of satisfactory evidence as set out in statue.
Namely, the card does not include a signature or a physical description of the card holder.
Q: From our FB Group: A co-worker was told by her notary instructor that the SOS office prefers black ink when notarizing documents. Is this the case?
The NC Secretary of State's Office does not have a preference of ink color to be used for notarizing documents. However, black and blue pens are often the most readable especially when dealing with photo copies of notarized documents.
There may have been some misunderstanding of what the instructor stated because we do request that the notary application be filled out in black ink which instructors typically highlight in class.
Q: Should I notarize a document if the principal has dementia and I feel she is not competent enough to sign documents, or designate a signer on her behalf?
The answer is no. As a notary, you are required to certify that the individual you notarize for is competent. If you have any doubts about their competence or whether they understand the nature or consequences of the transaction, you should refuse to perform the notarization.
Q: From our FB Group: I was asked to notarize a document about a court order concerning mental health and capacity for a pistol purchase permit. Am I allowed to notarize it?
Sometimes we are asked to notarize documents that are unfamiliar to us. Your job as a notary is to make sure the person is really who they say they are by positively identifying the principal signer of the document.
Remember to treat this form like you would any other form you are asked to notarize. Verify the principal's signature on the document, take the acknowledgment or administer the oath and record the notary transaction in your journal.
Q: From our FB Group: I always stumble when asking about swearing on the bible versus affirming. Do you have a smooth way to ask this question?
It is best to just keep it simple and ask signer if he or she wants you to perform an oath or an affirmation.
If a signer wants you to perform an "affirmation," then the notary certifies that he or she made a vow of truthfulness upon their own personal honor without invoking a deity or using any form with the word "swear". You do not use a Bible.
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Do you have a question that you’d like us to answer for the Fast Five? Please send in your tips, practice ideas, and questions for us at notarynews@sosnc.gov.
