Ohio Notary Practice Exam

Which requirement must a credible witness satisfy?

1. The notary must have never met the witness

2. The witness must know the signer

3. The witness must be related to the signer

4. The witness must be a recognized authority

The correct answer is: The witness must know the signer

The correct requirement for a credible witness is that the witness must know the signer. In the context of notary practice, a credible witness provides assurance of the signer’s identity to the notary. This means that the witness should have personal knowledge of the signer, which could include familiarity through previous interactions or even a relationship, but the key factor is that the witness knows the signer enough to affirm their identity. Choosing a witness who knows the signer establishes a level of trust, ensuring that the notary is not taking the identity of the signer solely at face value. This understanding is crucial in maintaining the integrity of the notarization process. Other options do not fulfill the requirement. The idea that the notary must have never met the witness contradicts the need for the witness to provide reliable identification of the signer. Similarly, while having a witness who is related to the signer may provide some level of trust, it's not a requirement, and could even introduce potential bias or conflict of interest. A recognized authority as a witness is not necessary either; the emphasis is on knowing the signer rather than on the witness's social or professional status.