What are the two types of acknowledgment acts a notary may perform?

A notary can perform two types of acknowledgment acts: Individual Capacity and Representative Capacity.

When performing an acknowledgment in Individual Capacity, the notary verifies the identity of an individual who is signing a document and confirms that the individual understands the document's contents and is signing it voluntarily. This is essential for ensuring the validity of the documents being signed and protecting against fraud.

In Representative Capacity, the notary acknowledges documents where the signer is acting on behalf of another person or entity, such as a corporation or partnership. Here, the notary must ensure that the representative has the appropriate authority to bind the party they represent in the transaction. This helps maintain the integrity of legal agreements and ensures that parties involved in the transaction are adequately represented.

Understanding these two types of acknowledgment acts helps clarify the notary's role in recognizing and confirming the identities of individuals and their authorities, safeguarding the legal processes involved in document signing.