A Maryland notary acknowledgment form is a legal document that verifies the authenticity of a signature on a legal document.
The notary public verifies the signer’s identity, witnesses their signature, and signs and stamps the document. This helps to prevent fraud and ensures that the document is legally binding. Notary acknowledgment forms serve different purposes and are attached to the document requiring notarization.
Legal Considerations
Statute: Maryland Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts
Form of Acknowledgment: Stating the state and county where the record was acknowledged, the date of acknowledgment, the name of the person who acknowledged the record, the signature of the notarial officer, the title of the office, and the official stamp with a commission expiration date. (§ 18-216)
Notary Term of Commission: Four years. (§ 18-103(c)(1))
Notary Handbook: The Handbook For Maryland Notaries Public provides guidance and instructions on the duties, responsibilities, and legal requirements of notaries.
Is Online Notarization Legal in Maryland?
Yes, online notarization is legal under Senate Bill 678.
To perform notarization using communication technology for remotely located individuals or notarial acts concerning electronic records, notary publics in Maryland must comply with specific requirements, including identity proofing, credential analysis, authentication, security measures, and retention requirements. (§ 18–214, § 18-220, & § 18-223)
How to Notarize
Step 1 – Find a Notary
You can use any of the following options to find a notary:
- Banks or Credit Unions: You can find a notary public at any bank or credit union. PNC Bank has the most branches in the state.
- UPS Stores: UPS Stores offer notary services. You can find a UPS Store near you using their website.
- Private Notary Services: There are many private notary services. You can find them by doing a quick online search.
Step 2 – Bring Your Document and Form
Once you have found a notary public, you must bring your document(s) with the notary acknowledgment form attached.
Step 3 – Identify Yourself
When you present yourself to the notary, you must identify yourself using a photo ID.
Step 4 – Sign the Document
You will need to declare your intent to agree to the terms of the document(s) that you are signing into effect and sign it.
Step 5 – Notarize Your Document
The notary public will sign the acknowledgment form and affix their seal to indicate that they have witnessed you signing the document. At this point, your document will be notarized.
How to Verify a Notary
- Visit the Maryland Secretary of State Notary Public Database.
- Enter the notary’s name in the search box and click “Search.”
- Check the search results to see if the notary is listed as active, and review the commission expiration date to ensure it is current.
How to Write (for Notary)
- Download a Maryland notary acknowledgment form in PDF or Word.
- Fill in the form with the county name and date of signing.
- Write the name of the city or town where you are a notary public. Then, provide the name of the person whose document you are witnessing, the type of action they are performing, and the type of document.
- At the bottom of the form, provide your handwritten signature, printed name, commission expiration date, and seal or stamp.
