In acknowledgment notarial acts, what is NOT required of the notary?

In acknowledgment notarial acts, it is essential to understand the role of the notary. The fundamental purpose of an acknowledgment is for the notary to confirm the identity of the signer and their intention to sign the document voluntarily. In this context, witnessing the signing of the document by being physically present during the signing is not a requirement for the notary.

A notary can perform an acknowledgment without being present for the actual signing. This may happen when the signer provides the document after it has been signed, and the notary verifies the signer's identity and willingness to sign before placing their seal on the document. Therefore, it is clear that directly witnessing the act of signing is not a mandatory part of the acknowledgment process.

On the other hand, signing as a witness, verifying the document's content, and keeping a record are essential responsibilities in the notarial process, as they ensure proper documentation and accountability. Thus, recognizing that witnessing a signing isn't a requisite function helps clarify the notary's role during acknowledgment acts.