Notary Public Underwriters Blog
Notarizing a Signature: Performing the Verbal Ceremony
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- Published: June 19, 2023
An essential element of every notarization involving a signature on a document is the verbal ceremony.
Some Notaries don’t realize that notarizing a signature on a document is never “silent.” A Notary Public “takes” a document signer’s acknowledgment; or “administers” an oath or affirmation. These active verbs indicate interaction between the Notary and the principal document signer.
Once the Notary Public has identified the individual whose signature requires notarization, is assured that the required notarial act is an authorized act in the Notary’s state, and has examined the document for any barriers to notarization, it’s time to perform the part of the notarial act that requires the key interaction between the Notary and the principal signer. This is known as the “verbal ceremony.”
Remember that with an acknowledgment notarial act, the principal signer is acknowledging having signed the document willingly, for its stated purposes. For a verification notarial act, the principal signer states that the contents of the document are true. This statement is an oath if the principal adds, “…so help me God.” It’s an affirmation if the principal omits any reference to a deity.
Depending on the required notarial act indicated on the document’s notarial certificate, the Notary will ask:
- For an acknowledgment: “Do you acknowledge signing this document willingly, for the purposes stated in it?”
- For a verification involving an oath: “Do you solemnly swear that this document’s contents are true, so help you God?” (Emphasis added.)
- For a verification involving an affirmation: “Do you affirm that this document’s contents are true?”
Some—not all—states authorize a Notary Public to perform a signature witnessing notarial act. Because this act requires the principal signer to simply sign the document in the Notary’s presence—without acknowledging their signature or swearing/affirming that the document contents are true—there is no verbal ceremony required.
To help you remember the verbal ceremonies you should perform, we’ve provided the wording of each one to keep, as a reference. Save this image to your favorite device’s photos app, or if preferred print it out. Perform the appropriate notarial verbal ceremony every time one is required!
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