What Is a Tennessee Notary Acknowledgment?
A Tennessee notary acknowledgment form is a statement completed by a notary public to verify a signer’s identity. It also confirms that they signed the document voluntarily. It is often referred to as a certificate of acknowledgment and is usually attached to legal documents.
The form shows that:
- The signer appeared before the notary.
- The notary verified the signer’s signatures and identity.
- The signer confirmed that they willingly signed the document.
TN Code § 66-22-114 explains how these acknowledgment certificates should be written and what they must include to be valid. Legal Templates offers a free Tennessee notary acknowledgment form that complies with state laws and can be filled out in minutes.
Documents That Typically Require Notarization in Tennessee
Certain documents must be notarized to be legally valid in Tennessee or to be accepted by the courts. Note that requirements can vary depending on the document type and its use. It’s always best to confirm whether notarization is required before finalizing your document.
Common Documents
Here are some common documents that require notarization in Tennessee:
Other Documents
The following documents may require notarization in Tennessee, depending on the situation or the receiving party:
- Bill of sale
- Promissory note
- Mortgage deed
- Deed of trust
- Prenuptial agreement
- Postnuptial agreement
- Warranty deed
- Minor travel consent form
Even if notarization isn’t required by law, many organizations request it to verify the document’s authenticity and prevent disputes.
Legal Requirements for Tennessee Notary Acknowledgments
Here are some basic legal rules that your Tennessee notary acknowledgment must meet in order to be valid and accepted by courts and other institutions:
- Elements of the Certificate: Under TN Code § 66-22-114, a valid acknowledgment must include the state and county, the date, the signer’s name, the notary’s signature, and the notary seal.
- Personal Appearance: The signer must appear before the notary. The notary must verify their identity using a valid ID or other approved method under TN Code § 8-16-112.
- Notary Seal and Commission: The notary must apply an official seal and have an active commission at the time of notarization for the acknowledgment to be valid. In Tennessee, the commission lasts 4 years (TN Code § 8-16-103).
Is Online Notarization Legal in Tennessee?
Yes, online notarization is legal in Tennessee. Notaries can perform notarizations using secure audio-video technology, provided they comply with state requirements. Under TN Code Title 8, Chapter 16, Part 3, known as the Online Notary Public Act, a notary may verify a signer’s identity and witness a signature remotely using two-way audio and visual communication.
Some documents may still require in-person notarization, depending on recording rules and requirements of the agency receiving the document.
Per TN Code § 8-16-308, the notary public must keep an electronic record of all remote notarizations recorded on file for at least five years.
Sample Tennessee Notary Acknowledgment
View a sample Tennessee notary acknowledgment form to see what the certificate looks like. This example shows the required format under Tennessee law, including the notary’s signature and seal.
Once you’re ready, use our step-by-step questionnaire to create your own acknowledgment form in minutes and download it in PDF or Word format.
