For which act must the signer’s signature be observed by the notary?

The correct response indicates that the signer’s signature must be observed by the notary for both acknowledgments and verifications.

In the context of notarial acts, an acknowledgment occurs when the signer declares to the notary that they have voluntarily signed a document for the purposes stated therein. For an acknowledgment to be valid, the notary must witness the signer affixing their signature to confirm that it is indeed the signer who is executing the document.

Similarly, for verifications upon oath, the notary must observe the signer as they take an oath and sign the document. This act requires the notary to be present to ensure that the signer is affirming the truthfulness of the statements within the document and is signing under that affirmation.

Both of these acts emphasize the notary's role in providing an extra layer of authentication by witnessing the signature, ensuring that the signer is who they claim to be and that the signing is done willingly and without coercion. Therefore, it is essential for the notary to observe the signature process for these acts to maintain the integrity and validity of the documentation.