A Pennsylvania notary acknowledgment form is a formal document where a notary public certifies an individual’s identity and voluntary signature on important documents. This process involves verifying the signer’s identity, and ensuring their signature’s authenticity for transactions like estate transfers, vehicle titles, and firearm sales.
The notary records their name, date, location, and affixes an official stamp for validity. After confirming the signer’s identity and signature, either in person or for a pre-existing signature, the notary completes the acknowledgment, thereby officially authenticating the document for the involved parties.
Legal Considerations
Statute: Chapter 3. Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts.
Form of Acknowledgment: § 315 and § 316 outline requirements for notarial act certificates and the language used.
Notary Term of Commission: Four years (§ 321(e)).
Notary Handbook: The How to Become a Pennsylvania Notary page on the American Association of Notaries website offers practical information on becoming a notary.
Is Online Notarization Legal in Pennsylvania?
Yes. On October 29, 2020, the governor enacted House Bill 2370, which permanently granted the authority for notaries public in the state to notarize electronic documents remotely, effective from the same date. § 306.1 and § 320 are statutes that govern remote notarization in Pennsylvania.
How to Notarize
Step 1 – Document Preparation and Identity Verification
Ensure that your document is fully completed, with no blank sections, and have a valid photo ID ready for your appointment.
Step 2 – Locating a Notary
There are different ways to locate a notary in Pennsylvania, such as searching for private notary services online, finding a UPS Store, and visiting banks such as a PNC or Citizens Bank.
Step 3 – Notary Commission Confirmation and Appointment Scheduling
Verify that the notary is officially commissioned in Pennsylvania. Once confirmed, contact the notary to schedule an appointment.
Step 4 – Document Signing and Notarization
Sign your document in the presence of the notary. The notary will then formalize the process with their official stamp or seal.
Step 5 – Service Fee Payment
Be prepared to pay the notary for their services, as they may charge a fee.
Step 6 – Document Copy Retention
Obtain and keep a copy of the notarized document for your personal records.
How to Verify a Notary
- Gather Notary Information: Collect the notary’s name and commission number, if available.
- Access Pennsylvania’s Notary Database: Visit the official website of the Pennsylvania Department of State and access their online notary database.
- Search and Confirm: There are three options to search for a specific notary; you can enter the notary’s name, commission ID, or location using city, state, and zip code into the search function and review the information provided to confirm their commission status and validity.
