What must be included at the top of every notarial certificate?

Including the state and county of notarization at the top of every notarial certificate is essential because it ensures the document's legal significance aligns with the jurisdiction where the notarial act is performed. This specification provides clear context regarding the authority under which the notary is acting and can be critical in verifying the document's validity in legal matters. The inclusion of location helps distinguish the notarial act's support across different jurisdictions, thereby affirming that the notary was commissioned within that state.

While the signer's name, the type of notarial act performed, and the date of the notarial act are also important components of a notarial certificate, they are not required to be at the top. Instead, these details typically follow after the initial jurisdictional information, underscoring the location’s fundamental importance in establishing the certificate's authenticity.