How should a notary address a name used by a signer that differs from the signer’s ID?

• A. Accept the instrument name as is, regardless of ID.
• B. Require alignment of the instrument’s name with the signer’s identity or obtain additional supporting documentation.
• C. Refuse to notarize.
• D. Change the instrument name to match the signer’s ID.

Answer: (B)

When a signer’s name on the instrument differs from the name on the ID, the notary must still verify that the signer is who they claim to be before proceeding. The correct approach is to require that the instrument’s name align with the signer’s identity, or obtain additional supporting documentation that links the name on the document to the person presenting themselves. This preserves the integrity of the notarization and prevents signing by someone who isn’t the person named or identified.

You shouldn’t simply accept the instrument name as is if there’s a mismatch, nor should you change the instrument to match the ID. Altering the instrument would be altering the document itself, which notaries do not do. If identity cannot be established through the available IDs and documents, the proper course is not to notarize.