Acknowledgments are the most common notarial act requested by signers. But do you know all the ins and outs of performing this kind of notarization properly? Take our quiz and see how well you know acknowledgments. (See below for detailed answers.)
1. When requesting an acknowledgment, a signer must:
A. Be positively identified by the Notary according to state rules
B. Take an oath or affirmation
C. Acknowledge that the signature on the document is theirs
D. Both A and C
ANSWER: D. In order to take an acknowledgment, a Notary must positively identify the signer according to the rules prescribed in state Notary law. Because the individual is asking you to take the acknowledgment of their signature on the document, they must acknowledge to you that it is theirs.
2. What type of certificate wording should a Notary complete when performing an acknowledgment?
A. Any certificate wording may be used
B. Either acknowledgment or jurat wording may be used, as long as the wording complies with state law
C. Acknowledgment wording that complies with your state’s laws
D. No certificate wording is required
ANSWER: C. When taking an acknowledgment, the Notary must complete appropriate acknowledgment certificate wording that complies with state law. You should never complete certificate wording for a different notarial act such as a jurat when taking an acknowledgment.
3. True or False. A signer requesting an acknowledgment must declare that he or she willingly signed the document to the Notary.
ANSWER: True. The reason this notarial act is referred to as an “acknowledgment” is because the signer must verbally acknowledge making the signature on the document of their own free will. In most states, the signer must communicate this directly to the Notary. Arizona, however, permits a signer to communicate with Notaries using the help of a third party such as an interpreter.
4. True or False. A person who acknowledges his or her signature may sign the document before meeting with the Notary.
ANSWER: True. A signer making an acknowledgment can either sign the document prior to the notarization or in the presence of the Notary.
David Thun is the Assistant Managing Editor with the National Notary Association.
Related Articles:
How to complete an acknowledgment
Notary Essentials: The difference between acknowledgments and jurats