Posted by Tonya Washington on 4/9/08 2:50pm
Msg #242900

ID's

I noticed that a number of Notaries say that the name on the ID does not match that on the documents. I live in Louisiana. I look at IDs but only to see if the signature matches the signature of the person signing the document. My ID does have my full middle name on it and my signature as all LA IDs do, but I purchased land using my first name, MI, and last name. I couldn't imagine stopping a closing because the name on the ID is missing an inital or has a letter inverted, or someone just got married and didn't change their name on their ID. Which some IDs do have those errors. We go by whats listed in land records. If I had to stop a closing because the ID didn't match the documents then 90% of my closings would not happen. Thank Goodness if live in Louisiana.

Reply by Tonya Washington on 4/9/08 2:52pm
Msg #242901

I meant I live in Louisiana

Reply by CopperheadVA on 4/9/08 3:09pm
Msg #242905

But Tonya, isn't that the fundamental purpose of a Notary Public? To positively identify the signer's identity?

In my state of Virginia, a notary can be held personally liable if he/she improperly notarizes. I am not willing to risk that based on a signer's word that his middle initial is this or that. If it's not listed on the primary ID I ask for additional ID to verify.

Reply by CaliNotary on 4/9/08 3:18pm
Msg #242907

"If I had to stop a closing because the ID didn't match the documents then 90% of my closings would not happen."

Nobody ever said the name on the ID had to exactly match the name on the docs. But whatever is on the docs better be on the ID. In your case, using only your middle initial instead of your full middle name is fine because your middle initial is shown at the start of your middle name on your ID. If your ID no middle name shown on it, then there's a problem.

And I don't know about LA law, but in CA a completely different last name on the ID is unacceptable, even if you just got married. If you have ID saying you're Tonya Washington then sorry, I ain't gonna notarize you as Tonya Smith, even if you whip out a marriage license. Your name doesn't automatically change when you get married, lots of women don't take their husband's last names.

Reply by Sir_Lawrence on 4/9/08 3:35pm
Msg #242914

I use the old rule, more is OK, less is not. That means if the ID is John Quincy Public & the docs are John Q Public, all's well. If the docs is John Quincy Public, then I must see that on the ID. IMO young lady, a notary is required to possitivley ID that person they are acknowledging. Think of it this way, rules are rules, you (we) didn't write them, but we abide by them. Just my 2 pennies. HAGN.

ps My Dad is Lawrence O Sheline. I am Lawrence O. Sheline, II. My son is Lawrence O. Sheline, III and my grandson is Lawrence O Sheline, IV. We have decided to stop buying houses........................

Reply by JanetK_CA on 4/9/08 3:40pm
Msg #242916

LOL!!!

I guess our minds were thinking along the same lines. Your personal example is better than any I came up with. (But I cracked up when I saw your example of "John Quincy..."

Reply by Sir_Lawrence on 4/9/08 3:44pm
Msg #242917

Re: LOL!!!

hmmm...minds that think alike, hows that go? One more thing, and this is ONLY ME,but when I contact the borrowers I ask if fingerprinting them is an issue, because I always try to. I use the ID thief angle to soothe them. This way, no matter what happens, Someone somewhere will know who signed these docs, no way around it!

Reply by Julie/MI on 4/10/08 6:43am
Msg #242983

Re: LOL!!

Sir Lawrence fingerprinting would be a problem with me if you came to my house. Also, if you state doesn't require it, you may find some title companies won't use you as their clients may not be happy with your since desire to be extra super duper safe.

I don't think you should try to sway them if they object, JMHO.

Reply by Tish/CA on 4/9/08 6:36pm
Msg #242955

Re: Sir Lawrence....

OK, that's way too funny. Option #2, start praying for females in your bloodline!!
(sorry off topic)

Reply by JanetK_CA on 4/9/08 3:37pm
Msg #242915

Not only that, I've read that most fraud happens within families. There have been numerous times when I've heard stories about various family members with very similar, or same, names. I remember one instance where a man married a woman with the same name as his sister. I recently had another one where brothers had the same first name but different middle names. And the father - son thing is very common, as we all know.

How do you know that the John Adams in front of you is the same John Adams (who clearly matches his picture) that is named as John Q Adams in the documents? (Just an example -- not sure if that exactly matches your situations, but I hope it makes the point.) I recomend you be very careful about this!

Reply by Art_MD on 4/9/08 4:10pm
Msg #242925

Thank goodness MD has some give on ID

Md requirement is that the notary is satisfied that the person whose signature is being notarized is the person who is named on the document.

Did a closing for a Judge. While he was getting his insurance papers, looked on the wall. Picture of him and George H. Bush. Handwritten letter underneath with what appeared to be an original signature. Picture of him with Bill Clinton also letter, signature. Same thing with George W. Bush.
Each letter said thanks for serving on the xx court of appeals.

Figured three presidents vouching for him is good enough for me. PLEASE.. don't say they could have been fakes. The pictures looked perfect. IF they were fakes, along with the letters, I'm sure the fake ID (driver's license) would have been a forgery of equal or better quality.

I've seen cases where the last name would not fit on a license - i.e. shivaramakrishna. In fact, because different computers can take different # of characters, I once had 14 AKAs for one person. Some dropped 1, some 2, some 3 letters at the end of the name. Others dropped vowels. Combine that with a long first name ( or foreign name) i.e. Gucharin and the variations multiply.

Art

Reply by BrendaTx on 4/9/08 4:28pm
Msg #242930

Agree Art. I couldn't fade that heat in California.

Texas lawyers are really serious about you not telling them what needs to be on a deed.

Reply by JanetLA on 4/9/08 5:42pm
Msg #242946

Louisiana is a different deal. Very different indeed.

We don't have the strict notary guidelines via a handbook that other states have. Once again, I say that I learn a great deal about loan signings here from the smart folks that post on a regular basis, but I don't usually learn anything about rules governing what we in Louisiana can or cannot notarize, etc. We are under civil law and are able to do any instrument in writing, including testaments, trusts, corporations, and more. I sometimes wish that we had a book with notary rules, but ours is the Civil Code of Louisiana that we must adhere to. We don't have an official seal, an official stamp, or any of those things that others talk about. We are commissioned for life. Check out our Secretary of State for the Title 35 that governs notary laws here. Very different indeed. Have a great week to all.