Notary Services - Acknowledgement

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The form most completed by the notary public is the acknowledgement. A notary acknowledgement certifies that the signer of a document is who they say they are, personally appeared before the notary public on the date indicated and the county indicated on the acknowledgement form, and that the signer acknowledged executing the document. 

Note that it is not necessary for the document to be signed in the presence of the notary, only that the signer personally appear to acknowledge having signed the document.

Effective January 1, 2015, the following disclaimer must appear in a box at the top of the certificate, and the disclaimer must be legible: "A notary public or other officer completing this certificate verifies only the identity of the individual who signed the document to which this certificate is attached, and not the truthfulness, accuracy, or validity of that document."

This process is a keystone in ensuring trust and authenticity to your paperwork. The Notary Acknowledgement is your guardian, affirming that you are indeed who you claim to be, you understand what you are agreeing to and you made this choice freely, without undue pressure. 

Here are some common scenarios where you might get something acknowledged by a notary:

• Real Estate Transactions: Deeds, loan documents, and other paperwork involved in buying or selling property often require notarized acknowledgments. This ensures all parties involved understand the legal implications before signing.
• Power of Attorney Documents: When granting someone the legal authority to act on your behalf (through a Power of Attorney), an acknowledgment from a notary verifies you comprehend what power you're giving them.
• Business Filings: Some business documents, like certain contracts or loan agreements, might require notarized acknowledgments from authorized representatives.
• Affidavits (limited use): In some states, an acknowledgment can be used instead of a jurat for affidavits (sworn statements) if the focus is on verifying the signing process, not the truthfulness of the content. However, jurats (which involve an oath) are generally preferred for affidavits.

Here are some situations where a notary acknowledgment typically wouldn't be required:

• Everyday Documents: Most everyday documents, like permission slips or rental agreements, don't require notarization or acknowledgments.
• Wills: While some states allow wills to be notarized, it's not mandatory and typically not recommended. Proper witness signatures are usually sufficient.
• Government Forms: Most government forms, like tax returns or voter registration applications, don't require notarization.notarized on time, and we strive to make the process as smooth as possible.