Posted by Karla/OR on 8/29/11 1:25pm
Msg #395523

Two questions (after investigating Search button):

1) Thumb printing - What is its purpose? When is it required?

2) What distinguishes between eyeballing someones ID vs. obtaining an actual copy of it at a signing?

Thanks.

Reply by Stephanie Santiago on 8/29/11 1:35pm
Msg #395526

1.)
**California Notary Law requires a thumbprint when a deed, quitclaim deed, or deed of trust affecting real property or a power of attorney document.
**I feel it proves the signer's appearance when the document was notarized.

2.)
?**Eyeballing someone's ID?
**I carefully inspect a signers ID when looking for the information I require for my Journal.
**I don't and have never copied a signer's ID.
~~~~> I hope you're not just eyeballing an ID.

Reply by Notarysigner on 8/29/11 2:03pm
Msg #395546

overkill to thumb print except when required..and

When I never "eyeball" and I.D. I want it in my hand, so I can make sure the photo doesn't come off. Yes, I've had that happen.

Reply by Notarysigner on 8/29/11 2:08pm
Msg #395547

P.S. I just Verified the ID of an interim police Chief

getting a background check. He was suprised I wouldn't take his Police Photo ID. I told him I needed to see his CDL, wasn't too happy about it.

Reply by SheilaSJCA on 8/29/11 5:24pm
Msg #395620

Re: P.S. I just Verified the ID of an interim police Chief

I have seen and accpeted SJPD employee ID card, (for clearance letters) and it does include all the required items, signature, phsyical description, DOB, issue and expire date,etc. so your interim Police Chief may have been justified. Check the handook. Its acceptable.

Reply by Notarysigner on 8/29/11 6:01pm
Msg #395624

Re: P.S. I just Verified the ID of an interim police Chief

Yes, it's up to the notary to decide....he had a Cal Drv License and that was good enough for me.

Reply by JanetK_CA on 8/29/11 6:34pm
Msg #395629

Re: P.S. I just Verified the ID of an interim police Chief

Lots of police officers are hesitant to show their DL because it has a home address on it. I've run into that a few times when notarizing statements from the local PD needed by would-be adoptive parents. Unfortunately, officers are potential targets for criminals they may have locked up (and/or their friends), or just people who see the police as enemies. I'm guessing that's what was behind the change in the law that allows us in CA to now accept some other government issued IDs, if they meet the requirements.

Reply by jba/fl on 8/29/11 6:38pm
Msg #395630

Hum...In Florida

(don't you just love it when we talk of CA law and everyone wants to tell you about their state's laws)

the police have the station's address, not home address. I think that is respectful and it makes clear sense to me.

Reply by LKT/CA on 8/29/11 7:01pm
Msg #395633

Re: Hum...In Florida

You beat me to it jba/fl.....I was gonna say exactly what you said...I notarized for a police chief and because I have friends who are policewomen, I immediately asked if he wished to use the station's address as his address and he said YES.

Reply by jba/fl on 8/29/11 1:38pm
Msg #395527

1. When in doubt, a cross check will ID who actually signed the docs. Not in FL, don't know about your state.

2. When I eyeball your ID you are in front of me. I compare you to photo, age listed (with math skills applied), and check your first signature for me to the one on ID. The copy goes with the docs to the TC/Lender for their files with your docs, all tied neatly with a blue or pink bow, depending on your sex of course, and if there should ever be a question as to validity, then they have something to begin further checking. At that time they may, somewhere in the process, ask you for your journal entry with the thumbprint, etc.

You're welcome.



And welcome to NotRot and thanks for trying for find out for yourself prior to asking.

Reply by Karla/OR on 8/29/11 2:27pm
Msg #395555

Darn, I knew when I said "eyeballing" I was in trouble . . . lol!!! I use it way to often. Really meant what jba said in his post.

I will check further with some local Oregon notaries to see how they deal with t-prints.

Thanks everyone!

Reply by jba/fl on 8/29/11 2:31pm
Msg #395557

what jba said in HER post

Another OR notary will be here soon I'm sure...your state manual should address this issue as well.

eyeball - ok - equates with scrutiny in my mind.

Reply by Stephanie Santiago on 8/29/11 2:58pm
Msg #395570

Karla - I pasted a link to the Oregon Notary Law booklet

http://www.leg.state.or.us/ors/194.html

This link will take you to the Notary Public Handbook for Oregon State.

Stephanie

Reply by Buddy Young on 8/29/11 1:46pm
Msg #395531

In addition to what Stephanie said, there is no better proof than a thumbprint. I even as for it on all notarizations.

Reply by jba/fl on 8/29/11 1:49pm
Msg #395537

Because it is required in CA. She is in OR and their law????

Different at best.

BTW: does CA require thumbprints on all notarizations or only on property? Is that overkill to use on all? I really don't know as I don't need to know but am curious.

Reply by Buddy Young on 8/29/11 1:52pm
Msg #395539

Re:Read Stephanie's reply n/m

Reply by GOLDGIRL/CA on 8/29/11 2:15pm
Msg #395549

jba/fl: In answer to your question...

CA requires t-prints on POAs and property-related docs, like certain deeds (in other words, every loan signing).

I know many CA notaries get a t-print for everything - like Buddy said, there's no better proof of ID. But I don't require things that the code doesn't call for. For some reason, the CA legislature did not mandate t-prints for some things but did for other things ... so I just go along with that. Who can ever figure out the CA legislature ...?

Reply by Notarysigner on 8/29/11 2:26pm
Msg #395554

a little fun here...would the thumbprint be valid

if you got at transplant? Where's the proof.. Ca Legis might be smarting than we think...ROFLMAO

Reply by Buddy Young on 8/29/11 4:11pm
Msg #395602

Re: A thumb transplant n/m

Reply by Stephanie Santiago on 8/29/11 2:47pm
Msg #395566

Re: Because it is required in CA. She is in OR and their law????

Each state has their own Notary Laws.
I personally thumbprint every signer - it is part of my ..."to detect and deter" fraudulent activity checklist (SOP).

...if I thumbprint everyone and am questioned by a signer why they must give me a thumbprint, I wonder why are they even asking.
It may be overkill for some, for me it is part of my signing "Standard Operating Procedure"
I'd rather overkill thank not.

Reply by JanetK_CA on 8/29/11 3:51pm
Msg #395599

Re: Because it is required in CA. She is in OR and their law????

I'm with you, Stephanie, in that I routinely get thumbprints from everyone, with a rare exception. Not only is it required in most transactions I'm involved with, but I think it's a good practice to be in the habit of getting one. Most people expect to be thumb printed here in CA because they don't have a clue about when it's required and when it isn't. But if anyone is hesitant about giving me a print on a document that does NOT require it, I don't push it. I just let it go without discussion, but that rarely happens.

Reply by MW/VA on 8/29/11 3:04pm
Msg #395575

The simple answer--you have to see the actual ID &

can't accept the copy as verification. The copy of the ID if for the lender.
Thumbprints--a requirement of some states.

Reply by NJDiva on 8/29/11 4:54pm
Msg #395613

At one time I was taking thumbprints for everyone...

but there were times when I got serious resistance. It is not a law here in NJ, so I finally just said to heck with it. It's not worth having to deal with people's suspicious, defensive attitudes.

I'm not sure what they think I could do with their thumbprints, but whatever. It's not that important I suppose.

Reply by LKT/CA on 8/29/11 7:17pm
Msg #395639

I agree with Janet and Stephanie. I routinely get a thumbprint for every notarization and <on very rare occasions> when asked, I tell the signer it's for their protection. A thumbprint concretely says such and such a person appeared before me - to include the imposter or the evil twin. A really good fake ID just may get past me.....but a thumbprint is irrefutable evidence of who actually appeared before me. People accept that reasoning. I wouldn't press the issue unless the document is one requiring a thumbprint. Most people in CA expect to leave a thumbprint. I always leave my thumbprint, whether required or not.

BTW, I did some googling and read that identical twins do not share the exact same fingerprints.

Reply by Cathy/CA on 8/29/11 8:47pm
Msg #395656

I am with LKT. I routinely get thumbprints for notarizations. If asked I tell them it is for their protection. Even if they had a twin, it wouldn't match. Everyone's thumbprint is unique.

I have had people challenge the signer actually signed the document (trust, power of attorney, letter from dying mom about who she wanted to care for her children...). The thumbprint is what made them stop the challenge of "she or he would never have signed the document."

Reply by Buddy Young on 8/30/11 12:07am
Msg #395674

Good argument, Cathy, for getting fingerprints

Reply by MW/VA on 8/30/11 8:49am
Msg #395691

Thumbprints legal in CA, but not legal to ask for in some

states. Always know your state's notary laws, and what you are and are not allowed to do.