What is a Notary Acknowledgment?

A notary acknowledgment is a formal declaration made by an individual who is signing a document, affirming that they are doing so willingly and that they are the person identified in the document. The notary public verifies the signer’s identity, ensures they understand the document they are signing, and confirms that they are signing it voluntarily, without any coercion or undue influence.

The notary acknowledgment typically involves the signer appearing in person before the notary, providing valid identification, and signing the document in the notary’s presence. After verifying the information, the notary will then complete an acknowledgment certificate, which includes the notary’s signature, seal, and a statement affirming that the signer’s identity was confirmed.

Notary acknowledgments are often required for legal documents such as deeds, contracts, and powers of attorney, to ensure the authenticity of the signatures and to protect against fraud.