Acknowledgments

An acknowledgment is the most common notarial act. It serves to confirm that a signer is who they claim to be and that they signed a document of their own free will.

What Is an Acknowledgment?

An acknowledgment is a formal declaration by a person (the "principal") to a notary that:

1. They are the person named in the document
2. They signed the document
3. They signed voluntarily and for its intended purpose

Key Characteristics

The Acknowledgment Process

Step 1: Signer Appears

The signer must personally appear before the notary (in-person or approved remote).

Step 2: Verify Identity

The notary determines the signer's identity through:

• Personal knowledge, OR
• Satisfactory evidence (government-issued photo ID), OR
• Credible witness verification

Step 3: Signer Acknowledges

The signer must verbally acknowledge:

• "Yes, this is my signature"
• "Yes, I signed this document voluntarily"
• "Yes, I signed this for its intended purpose"

Step 4: Complete Certificate

The notary completes the acknowledgment certificate, including:

• Date and location
• Signer's name
• Notary's signature
• Commission information

Acknowledgment Certificate (Short Form)

Maine provides a short form for acknowledgments:

State of Maine County of ___________

This record was acknowledged before me on _________ [date] by _________ [name(s) of individual(s)].

_________________________ [Signature of notarial officer] [Stamp, if any] Title: Notary Public, State of Maine My commission expires: _________

Common Documents Requiring Acknowledgments

On the Exam

Key points:

• No signing in presence required for acknowledgments
• Verbal acknowledgment of signature IS required
• Identity verification always required
• Most common notarial act