Pennsylvania Notary Public Practice Exam

What is considered satisfactory evidence of identification?

1. A photo only

2. A government-issued ID number and signature

3. Employee ID badge

4. A utility bill

The correct answer is: A government-issued ID number and signature

Satisfactory evidence of identification must provide a reliable means of verifying a person's identity. The option that includes a government-issued ID number and signature meets this criterion because it typically involves an official document that can be verified and is linked directly to the individual's identity. Government-issued identification is recognized as a standard form of identification that includes both a photograph and personal information, making it difficult to forge. In contrast, a photo only does not provide sufficient context, as it lacks the necessary details to verify the identity of the individual beyond face value. An employee ID badge may not be universally recognized and often lacks the official governmental backing to be considered satisfactory. A utility bill, while it may show an address and name, does not confirm identity in the same manner as a government-issued identification, since it can be in someone else's name or be forged. Thus, the identification that combines a government-issued ID number with a signature stands as the most reliable method for establishing a person's identity in notary practice.