Used for: Deeds, mortgages, power of attorney, real estate docs. The signer acknowledges they signed voluntarily. They do NOT need to sign in front of you — only acknowledge they did sign it. Requirements: • Verify signer identity with acceptable ID • Confirm they signed willingly, not under duress • Complete acknowledgment certificate on the doc • Sign and affix your notary seal • Record in your journal Indiana certificate language: "State of Indiana, County of ___, before me, a Notary Public in and for said County and State, personally appeared [name] and acknowledged the execution of the foregoing instrument."

Used for: Affidavits, sworn statements, financial disclosures, court documents. KEY DIFFERENCE FROM ACK: The signer MUST sign in your presence AND take an oath that the contents are true. Oath script: "Do you solemnly swear (or affirm) that the contents of this document are true and correct to the best of your knowledge and belief?" Certificate language: "Subscribed and sworn to (or affirmed) before me this ___ day of ___, 20___, by [name]." Watch out: If the document is already signed before they arrive, they must sign again in front of you.

Acceptable primary ID: • Indiana driver's license or state ID • US Passport or Passport Card • Military ID (active or retired) • Tribal ID with photo ID must be: Government-issued, current (not expired), contain photo and signature. Expired ID: Generally unacceptable. Credible witness option: If signer has no valid ID, a person who personally knows the signer and is known to you can swear under oath to the signer's identity.

Per Indiana Code IC 33-42-9-5: • In-person notarial act: $5.00 maximum • Electronic notarization: $25.00 maximum • Remote online notarization: $25.00 maximum You may charge less than the maximum. Travel fees may be charged separately — document clearly. Always disclose fees before performing the notarial act.

You MUST refuse if: • Signer cannot produce acceptable ID • Signer appears intoxicated, confused, or lacks mental capacity • You have a financial interest in the document • You suspect duress or coercion • Document has blank spaces that should be filled in • Signer refuses to take the oath (for jurats) • You cannot communicate with the signer (language barrier, no interpreter) Remember: You are NOT responsible for the document's contents — only the signer's identity and willingness to sign.

Indiana does not mandate a journal but it is STRONGLY RECOMMENDED as your legal protection. Record for each act: • Date and time of notarization • Type of notarial act (ACK, jurat, etc.) • Description of document • Signer's full name and address • Type of ID and ID number • Signer's signature in your journal • Fee charged Keep for at least 10 years. It's your best defense if a notarization is ever challenged in court.

POAs are high-stakes — take extra care. Types: • Financial POA: Authority over financial/legal matters • Healthcare POA: Medical decision-making authority • Durable POA: Survives incapacity of the principal • Springing POA: Activates only on a triggering event Your job: Notarize the PRINCIPAL's signature (person granting power). NOT the agent. Capacity check: The principal must understand what they're signing. If they seem confused about what a POA is or does, do not proceed. Common mistake: Confusing who needs to sign. Only the principal signs for the notarization.