Which notarization requires the signer to personally appear before the notary and acknowledge the signature for its stated purpose?

• A. Jurats
• B. Acknowledgment
• C. Certification
• D. Prohibition

Answer: (B)

An acknowledgment is the notarization where the signer personally appears before the notary and acknowledges that they signed the document for the stated purpose. In this process, the notary verifies the signer’s identity, confirms that the signer understands the document, and that the signature is being made for the stated use, then records that the signer appeared and acknowledged. This is different from a jurat, where the signer swears or affirms that the contents are true and signs in the notary’s presence with an oath administered. Certification typically refers to certifying a true copy or other certification of a document, not the act of acknowledging a signature for its purpose. Prohibition is not a type of notarial act.