Utah Notary Practice Test

Which of the following is considered satisfactory evidence of identity for a notary?

1. Employee ID with photo

2. Driver's license with photograph, signature, and description

3. Passport without photo

4. Any identification card

The correct answer is: Driver's license with photograph, signature, and description

A driver's license with a photograph, signature, and description is considered satisfactory evidence of identity for a notary because it meets the requirements for identification set forth by notary laws. This type of identification contains multiple features that help verify the identity of an individual, such as a recognizable photo that helps confirm the person's likeness, a signature that can be compared to that of the individual, and a physical description that provides additional context. These elements together create a robust form of identification that notaries can rely on to confirm that the individual signing a document is indeed who they claim to be, thereby reducing the risk of fraud. In contrast, other options may lack some of these critical elements. For example, while an employee ID may have a photo, it might not include a signature or other descriptive information that confirms identity reliably. A passport without a photo fails to provide the visual confirmation needed to match the individual. Any identification card could vary widely in terms of the information it presents and may not necessarily comply with the stricter identification standards required for notarial acts. Thus, the driver's license fully satisfies the criteria for satisfactory evidence of identity within the context of notarial practice.