Pennsylvania Notary Public Practice Exam

Which component is NOT typically required for Personal Knowledge identification?

1. Signature

2. Photograph

3. Case study

4. ID number

The correct answer is: Case study

The correct answer is that a case study is not typically required for Personal Knowledge identification. Personal knowledge identification occurs when a notary public knows the signer personally and can verify their identity based on their own experience with the individual. In this context, identifying a signer generally relies on factors like a signature, a photograph, or an ID number, which can all help confirm someone's identity. A signature is a direct way to authenticate a person's identity against previous records, and a photograph can assist in visually matching the person to their identity. An ID number further corroborates personal identification by linking to official records. However, a case study, which often involves an in-depth examination or analysis of a situation or individual outside of a straightforward identification context, is not necessary or standard for establishing Personal Knowledge. This highlights the essential nature of personal familiarity rather than analytical processes in this identification scenario.