I conducted a signing for a recently married couple. Throughout the package, the wife was listed under her married name but when she provided ID, it showed only her maiden name. The signing company wanted me to notarize her last name as her husband's last name. In the end, I told the signing company this was incorrect. Can you provide a statute that says a Florida Notary can only notarize using the name appearing in the government-issued ID? — J.C., Miami, FL
There isn't a specific provision in the Florida Statutes which says a Notary may notarize only if a person's name on the ID is the same as on the documents, but F.S. 117.05(5) could apply in your situation. Subsection (b) states that satisfactory evidence of identity means the absence of any information, evidence or other circumstances which would lead a reasonable Notary to believe that the person whose signature is to be notarized is not the person he or she claims to be.
Hotline answers are based on the laws in the state where the question originated and may not reflect the laws of other states. If in doubt, always refer to your own state statutes. – The Editors
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