Posted by Jessc098 on 3/1/13 10:45am
Msg #458712

Q for Oregon Notaries

Was told by a title office in Oregon recently that reliance on photo ID for name verification isn't required--just enough "paper trail" substantiating the name. I thought that was bizarre, but said "the rules aren't the same here, so you're out of luck" But I came to doubt that. Is it true?

Apparently a document was missed in a loan that was signed last week. They needed it signed ASAP for funding and I was asked to go sign it (I DID NOT SIGN THE ORIGINAL).

Docs had been printed up with the wife's maiden name because that's what is on her social security card, but her name and driver's license had been changed to something else 16 years ago.

The title CO says that FHA loans have to exactly match names on Social Security Cards (the old name), not Driver's Licenses, even if the last names are completely different.

WHAT?

Sorry--No-Can-Do. Photo ID is all that works for me. (Don't Social Security Cards have printed RIGHT ON THEM "Not Valid For Identification Purposes?") Here in WA, ID requirements are codified--must include a photo, physical description, signature, etc.

Imagine my shock when I was told the last notary (here in WA) used the social security card and marriage license for establishing ID for the notarization.

Oy!

Reply by KarenVentura on 3/1/13 10:52am
Msg #458715

I had to go to the base to get my military id renewed. On the new Id's they have removed our SSN off the card and put an "ID" number. I guess the military has decided that the SNN is not to be used to identify us any longer.

Reply by sigtogo/OR on 3/1/13 10:58am
Msg #458717

wow, where to begin. so much is wrong here!

Oregon law very specific, and rather narrow on acceptable ID and Id for your purposes isn't necessarily the same as the lenders. Whatever the law is in your state for identifying is important to you. I have originated many a FHA loan and never found a requirement of name from SS card. name on loan and vesting on DOT need to match the original deed and perhaps that is how your signer took title. of course they could do a QC to change that name.

Reply by OR on 3/1/13 11:07am
Msg #458725

Re: Here is the State rule. It is very short.

Identification Documents—the following types of identification may be used to positively identify a client, if they are current, i.e. not expired.

A current drivers’ license or current identity card issued by any state.

A current United States passport or a current officially recognized passport of a foreign country. A United States passport means a U.S. passport and a U.S. passport card issued by the U.S. Department of State.

A current United States military identification card.

A current identity card issued by a federally recognized Indian tribe.
Produces at least one current document issued by the federal government or a state, county, municipal or other local government and containing the person’s photograph, signature and physical description.

Reply by sigtogo/OR on 3/1/13 11:03am
Msg #458721

what is connection between your missed doc and ID issue? n/m

Reply by Jessc098 on 3/1/13 1:51pm
Msg #458768

Re: what is connection between your missed doc and ID issue?

No connection of missed docs to identity issue--it's just the only way I would have been connected to the entire transaction. The other notary apparently wasn't available to sign the missed doc, therefore I saw it and encountered this whole mess.

Thanks everyone for your thoughts--and thanks for clarifying on the Oregon rules--I know I only abide by my own state's ID rules, but I was sure this escrow officer was WAY OFF, and it's nice to know I was right.

She told me that the FHA requirement that docs match the name on the SS Card was a new thing. It's the only time I've ever encountered it, and can't substantiate.

To my surprise, they way they intended to have her resolve the issue was to take the doc to a bank for notarization. (What they intend to do with the improper vesting, I don't know... good grief!)

Reply by VT_Syrup on 3/1/13 8:37pm
Msg #458853

Re: what is connection between your missed doc and ID issue?

When I got my safe deposit box, I asked about what would happen if I had a fire and my box keys and ID were destroyed (that's a big reason for having a box, after all). The office manager said the tellers get to know the customers pretty well, so they would probably go by recognizing me, as well as my signature matching the signature on file. So perhaps someone at the bank will be able to notarize on the basis of personal recognition, if one of them has been around long enough to remember her before she was married.

Reply by Jessc098 on 3/1/13 9:53pm
Msg #458861

And yet...

What happens if/when she dies and her husband has to settle the estate.

Death cert and title won't match, and the basis for the name change won't make any sense since she changed her name to and from the new married name without a legal basis).

Reply by VT_Syrup on 3/2/13 6:04am
Msg #458885

Re: And yet...

A probate judge will appoint an executor and if the house is sold during the closing of the estate, the executor will sign the deed. Also, the death certificate will most likely have the full names of both parents of the person who died, so the last name in the deed will match one of the names in the death certificate.