California Secretary of State - Notary Public & Apostille · California state form
Acknowledgment Certificate
California’s Acknowledgment Certificate records an officer’s confirmation that a signer appeared, established their identity, and acknowledged executing an attached instrument.
- What this form is
- This acknowledgment certificate includes spaces for the county, date, officer’s name and title, signer’s name, and officer’s signature and seal. It states that the officer verifies the identity of the individual who signed the attached document, not the truthfulness, accuracy, or validity of that document. The officer also certifies that the acknowledgment statement is true and correct under penalty of perjury under California law.
- Who needs it
- A person attaching a certificate to an instrument may need this acknowledgment completed by the officer who confirms the signer’s identity and acknowledgment.
- Why it needs a notary
- The acknowledgment requires the signer to acknowledge execution before an officer. This can be done online with a commissioned online notary.
- How to submit it
- The certificate states that it is attached to an instrument. Submit it to the California agency named on the form.
Questions
What does the Acknowledgment Certificate verify?
The certificate says the officer verifies only the identity of the individual who signed the attached document, not the document’s truthfulness, accuracy, or validity.
Does this certificate need notarization?
Yes. The signer acknowledges execution before an officer. This can be done online with a commissioned online notary.
What information is included on the certificate?
It provides spaces for the county, date, officer’s name and title, signer’s name, officer’s signature, and official seal.