Washington Notary Acknowledgment

An acknowledgment is the most common notarial act you'll perform in Washington, and it's the one where small errors create the biggest problems. Recording offices reject documents with incomplete certificates, and signers end up scheduling a second appointment to fix something that should have been done right the first time.

What an Acknowledgment Actually Confirms

Unlike a jurat, an acknowledgment doesn't involve an oath or affirmation about the document's truthfulness. When you take an acknowledgment, you're confirming exactly two things:

1. The signer appeared before you and you verified their identity
2. The signer told you they signed the document voluntarily

The signer doesn't need to sign in front of you. They can bring a document they already signed, and the acknowledgment is still valid — as long as you verify their identity and they acknowledge the signature as their own.

Identity Verification Requirements

Before completing the acknowledgment certificate, you must confirm the signer's identity through one of these methods under RCW 42.45.030 and RCW 42.45.050:

• A passport, driver's license, or government-issued nondriver identification card that is current or expired no more than three years before the act
• Personal knowledge of the signer
• A credible witness who personally knows the signer, takes an oath or affirmation confirming their identity, and provides satisfactory evidence of their own identity

You cannot rely on an identification document that expired more than three years before the act. If a signer has only such an ID, use a qualifying alternative such as personal knowledge or a credible-witness procedure, or refuse the notarization.

The Acknowledgment Certificate

Washington's statutory acknowledgment wording is found in RCW 42.45.140. The certificate must include:

• The venue (state and county where the notarization occurs)
• The date of the notarial act
• The signer's name
• A statement that the person appeared and acknowledged the document
• Your signature, printed name, and official stamp impression

If the document already has a notary certificate section, review it carefully before completing it. Some out-of-state forms use wording that doesn't comply with Washington law. When a document lacks any certificate, you attach a separate loose certificate with the statutory language.

Common Acknowledgment Mistakes

Notarizing without the signer present. The signer must physically appear before you. Having someone drop off a pre-signed document for you to stamp later is not a valid acknowledgment — it's a violation that can result in commission revocation.

Skipping the identity check. Even if you've notarized for the same person before, you should verify identity each time unless you have genuine personal knowledge of them. "I've seen them around the office" doesn't qualify as personal knowledge.

Using the wrong certificate type. If the document calls for a jurat (verification on oath or affirmation) and you complete an acknowledgment instead, the document may be rejected. Know the difference: acknowledgments confirm identity and voluntary signing; jurats require the signer to swear the document's contents are true.

Fee Limits

Washington caps notary fees for acknowledgments at $15 per signature under WAC 308-30-220. You can charge less than the maximum, and many workplace notaries don't charge at all. But exceeding the cap violates state law.

For complete guidance on performing all types of notarial acts — including acknowledgments, jurats, oaths, and copy certifications — get the Washington notary commission guide.

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