An acknowledgment is a formal declaration made before a notary public or other authorized officer confirming that the person signing a document is doing so voluntarily and that the signature is genuine. In real estate, acknowledgments are a critical step in making documents legally valid and recordable with the county. Without proper acknowledgment, most real estate instruments — including deeds, mortgages, and powers of attorney — cannot be filed in the public records.
The acknowledgment process involves the notary verifying the signer's identity through government-issued identification, confirming they understand the document they are signing, and witnessing the signature. The notary then completes an acknowledgment certificate — a block of text attached to or included in the document — that includes the notary's signature, seal, commission number, and expiration date. This certificate serves as proof that the signing was properly witnessed.
Different states have specific requirements for acknowledgment language. Florida, for example, requires specific wording for individual signers, corporate officers, and trustees. Using incorrect acknowledgment language can cause a document to be rejected by the county recorder, potentially delaying your closing. Title companies are well-versed in these requirements and ensure every document uses the correct format for your state and transaction type.
It is important to understand the difference between an acknowledgment and a jurat. An acknowledgment confirms the identity of the signer and the voluntariness of the signature, but the notary does not need to witness the actual signing — the signer can appear before the notary after signing and acknowledge that the signature is theirs. A jurat, on the other hand, requires the notary to administer an oath and witness the signing. Both appear on closing documents, but acknowledgments are far more common for deeds and mortgages.
During your closing with Beycome Title, our notary handles all acknowledgments — whether in person or through a secure remote online notarization (RON) session. RON allows you to complete your acknowledgments via video conference, making closing possible from anywhere. Our technology meets all state requirements for electronic acknowledgments, and our notaries are specially certified for remote transactions. Visit beycometitle.com to learn more about our remote closing process.