I have been instructed to take photos of a borrower’s IDs with my cell phone for a loan document signing. Is this legal? — T.P., Illinois

There may be federal or state personal information and privacy laws in play here that govern the collection, storage, and dissemination of personal information that could put you at risk. Most lenders and larger title companies do not want Notaries to take pictures of signer IDs due to the privacy risks. You should know your obligations and rights before accepting an assignment from a company that asks you to take pictures of borrowers’ IDs.

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

Confronted with a tricky notarization? Unsure how to proceed? NNA members have unlimited access to our expertly trained NNA Hotline counselors to help you with all of your notarial questions. Call 1-888-876-0827, Monday through Friday, 5 a.m. to 7 p.m. PST; Saturday, 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. PT.