A Utah notary acknowledgment form is a legal document a notary public completes to authenticate an individual’s signature. This form alerts government authorities that the signatory provided their signature willingly and for the reasons the associated document specifies.
A notary public acts as an official witness, ensuring the signing abides by state law and confirming the identity of the individual the document mentions. Once the notary public is confident in the individual’s identity, the notary public executes the form by adding their signature and seal. The notarization process is common for documents like property deeds, affidavits, and powers of attorney.
Legal Considerations
Statute: UT Code Title 57, Chapter 2a (Recognition of Acknowledgments Act).
Form of Acknowledgement: A certificate must appear in a form prescribed by Utah’s state laws and the laws of the state where the acknowledgment is occurring. It must also include the words “acknowledged by me” or a similar phrase (UT Code § 57-2a-6). Utah also outlines a “Statutory Short Form of Acknowledgment,” which doesn’t preclude using other forms (UT Code § 57-2a-7).
Notary Term of Commission: Four years (UT Code § 46-1-3(5)(a)(i)).
Notary Handbook: The Notary Handbook includes resources for aspiring and current notary publics and example acknowledgment certificates to help you better understand the notary process.
Is Online Notarization Legal in Utah?
Yes. In the 2019 General Session, the state’s House of Representatives passed House Bill 52. This bill allows for online notarization if the acknowledgment includes the notary’s commission number and name. It must also include these phrases: “my commission expires on,” “state of Utah,” and “notary public.”
Laws: UT Code § 46-4-205.
How to Notarize
Step 1 – Locate a Notary
Locate a notary in your area. Visit a shipping store like UPS to see if the business offers notary services. You can also try banks in the area, such as the Bank of Utah.
Step 2 – Complete Your Paperwork
Complete the legal document you’d like the notary public to authenticate, such as a commercial lease agreement. Leave the signature fields blank so they can witness your signature.
Step 3 – Present Your ID
Show a valid form of ID if the notary public doesn’t know you personally. Per § 46-1-2(19)(a), a valid form of ID can include a valid passport or a valid personal identification (government-issued) with the individual’s photograph, physical description, and signature.
Step 4 – Sign the Form
Sign your name on the legal document you brought with you in the notary public’s presence. If you already signed your name before your meeting, swear that the signature is your own.
How to Verify a Notary
- Navigate to the Notary Administration Search tool on the Office of the Lieutenant Governor’s website.
- Search for a notary by inputting information into one of the filters, which are “First Name,” “Last Name,” “Business City,” “Business ZIP Code,” and “Languages.”
- Further refine your search by only selecting notaries who are remote, licensed attorneys, or licensed escrow agents.
- Provide an effective date range for the notary’s commission, if desired.
- View your search results to verify the notary.
How to Write (for Notary)
- Download a notary acknowledgment form, available in PDF and Word format.
- Document the county where the acknowledgment takes place.
- Include the day, month, and year of the acknowledgment.
- Write your name, the signatory’s name, and who they’re signing for.
- Record the satisfactory evidence of ID and the document the signatory is signing.
- Sign your name and add your seal. Include when your commission expires.
