A West Virginia notary acknowledgment form certifies signatures on legal documents, including loan agreements, articles of incorporation, and lease agreements. A qualified individual, the notary public, executes this form by witnessing the signing party’s signature.
Before they can finalize the document, they must confirm the signatory’s identity by examining a valid government-issued ID card. If the notary public knows the signatory personally, they can confirm their identity by attesting to their identity. The notary public should also confirm the signatory is signing the document for its stated purpose.
Legal Considerations
Statute: WV Code Chapter 39, Article 4.
Form of Acknowledgement: Per § 39-4-16, a notary acknowledgment should include whether the acknowledgment is in a representative capacity or for an individual. It must also contain the notary’s signature, stamp, title, and commission expiration date.
Notary Term of Commission: Five years (§ 39-4-20).
Notary Handbook: The Secretary of State has a Notary Public Handbook explaining a notary’s powers, qualifications, signature requirements, and limitations.
Is Online Notarization Legal in West Virginia?
Yes. Senate Bill 469 allows for remote notarization. The notary should be able to verify the signer’s identity via one of these three methods:
- Two proofs of identity.
- An affirmation or oath from a credible witness.
- Personal knowledge of the individual.
The notary must be an appointed out-of-state commissioner if the signing party is anywhere outside the US. Additionally, the legal document the signing party wants notarized must relate to one of the following:
- A transaction significantly connected with the state.
- Property within the state.
- A matter before a government entity, public court, public official, or another entity under state jurisdiction.
Laws: § 39-4-37.
How to Notarize
Step 1 – Locate a Notary
Locate a notary in your area. Visit banks and credit unions to see if they offer notary services. One solid option is Truist Bank, which has locations throughout West Virginia. You can also use 123notary.com to search for private notarial officers providing remote services.
Step 2 – Bring Your Document
Review your legal document (like a non-disclosure agreement) to ensure you’ve filled out all applicable fields. Leave the field for your signature blank so you can sign it in front of the notary public.
Step 3 – Present Your ID
Present satisfactory evidence to prove your identity, whether in the form of a passport, driver’s license, or nondriver ID card (if it’s issued by the federal or state government).
Step 4 – Sign the Form
Sign your name before the notary public or confirm that the signature is yours if you signed it in advance.
How to Verify a Notary
- Navigate to the Secretary of State’s Notary Public Search tool.
- Conduct a simple or advanced search depending on the information you have.
- Study the search results to find more details about your notary public.
How to Write (for Notary)
- Download a notary acknowledgment form in PDF or Word format.
- Provide the following details:
- County and date of acknowledgment
- Name of the notary public
- Name of the signing party
- Identification verification method
- The document being acknowledged
- The notary’s title, commission number, and status expiration date
- Sign your name and add your seal.
