Missouri Notary Acknowledgment Form

A Missouri notary acknowledgment form is a certificate that verifies the act of acknowledgment made by a person who signed a legal document.

This form confirms that the signer understood the signed document, signed it willingly, and had their identity confirmed by a notary public.

To have a document notarized, one must present oneself to a notary with a valid ID, sign the document in the notary’s presence, and have the notary fill out and sign the acknowledgment form.

Is Online Notarization Legal in Missouri?

Yes, it is legal for notaries to notarize documents remotely using electronic communication software, thanks to House Bill 1655.

The law mandates using an identity verification method that meets the state requirements. The notary public must create and maintain an audio-visual recording of the notarization, retain a copy, and attach a certificate to the electronic document indicating that it was notarized remotely.

The certificate must include specific information, including the date and time of the notarization and the type of technology used. (Mo. Rev. Stat. §§ 486.1100 – 486.1250)

How to Notarize

Step 1 – Finding a Notary Public

You can search for a licensed notary public online or locally. Banks or credit unions, UPS stores, and private notary services are some options you can consider.

Step 2 – Filling Out Your Legal Document

If the document requires only a notary acknowledgment, you may sign it before the notary. Otherwise, print out a copy of a notary acknowledgment form and attach it to your document before bringing it to the notary.

Step 3 – Meeting the Notary in Person

You must meet the notary in person once you have your document and the notary acknowledgment form ready. Bring at least one piece of identification, preferably a state-issued photo ID, to prove your identity to the notary.

Step 4 – Completing the Notarization Process

The notary will verify your identity and confirm your intention to sign the document. Once the notary is satisfied, you can sign your document in their presence if you haven’t already. The notary will then fill out, sign, and affix their stamp/seal to the acknowledgment form to complete the notarization process.

Step 5 – Paying the Notary Fee

The notary fee is set by state law, and you must pay it at the end of the process.

The maximum fee for any notarial act is five dollars, and the notary can charge one dollar per page certified with a minimum total charge of three dollars per page for certified copies of original documents. They may also charge a travel fee if agreed upon in advance. However, failure to record the notarization in their journal prevents them from collecting the fee.

How to Verify a Notary

1. Go to the Secretary of State Search for a Notary Public page.
2. Enter the notary’s first and last name or commission number and click “Search.”
3. The search results will display the notary’s commission information, including their name, commission number, commission expiration date, and whether or not they offer electronic notarization.

How to Write (for Notary)

1. Download a Missouri notary acknowledgment form in PDF or Word format.
2. Fill in the name of the person who signed the document, your name, and the date your notary commission expires. Also, fill in the location where the acknowledgment was made, including the city and county. Lastly, fill in a brief description of the document being acknowledged.
3. The signatory must state that they signed the document willingly and with a complete understanding of its contents. This statement should be included in the acknowledgment.
4. Once the signatory has made their acknowledgment, sign the form and affix your official notary stamp or seal at the bottom of the form.