Posted by NewPhoenix on 1/31/13 12:22pm
Msg #453271

Several different ID issues

Ok in the past few weeks I have probably upset three different Title companies for what I consider to be "sticking to my guns" over ID issues which I take seriously. The last one I have come across several times.

This first was a mother/daughter signing. The mother was elderly and her drivers license had expired seven years ago! No other form of ID. The odd thing was is that the state License Bureau was only three blocks down the street but it was after 7:00pm at the time. I was already booked solid the next day so they had to send somebody else.

The second was a husband/wife. Husband's name was Roger on all the papers but was Louis R on his drivers license. Went round and round with Title for 45 minutes on that. I told them I could have him sign Louis R but they wouldn't have that. In between phone calls husband tells me "My name was Roger on my Birth Certificate but later on my mother crossed it out with a pen and wrote Louis on it and started calling me that. To me that only made matters worse!

The third comes up several times a year. A woman gets married but never updates her drivers license. Documents come in with her current legal name but (obviously) does not match her drivers license. Title companies INSIST that I take her incorrect ID and the marriage certificate AS her ID. Are we supposed to accept a Marriage License as an ID? I don't think so.

To add to this - My next signing has "Jr" after his last name on all the documents but he just told me it is not on his drivers license. He may have it on another ID so he is checking. But his wife may be the bigger issue. Her last name on all the documents is hyphenated with two last names. I told him to make sure her ID has both last names.

Sometimes I think Title companies are expecting us (Notaries) to somehow "Legalize" a name change when a prior deed or mortgage is not to their current liking. I don't feel comfortable doing that unless the document IS a name change document.

Maybe all this has been covered before but here's 4 - 5 real time examples. Comments?

Reply by Jessica Ward on 1/31/13 12:40pm
Msg #453274

I've had a good run of ID issues lately too.

Turned back several from the table.

In one instance, the man produced three forms of ID, none of which had two matching names, and not a single one matched the documents! Oy vey!

Reply by VT_Syrup on 1/31/13 12:47pm
Msg #453277

It's unclear if "Junior" is part of the name, or just a description. Good luck finding out if there is a rule in your state, or what the rule is.