What should a notary do if a notarial certificate indicates a signature was attested?

A notary should complete a witnessing or attesting a signature notarial certificate when a notarial certificate indicates that a signature was attested. This type of notarial act confirms that the notary has witnessed the individual signing the document and validates the identity of the signer.

In this scenario, attesting to a signature means that the notary is affirming that they observed the individual sign the document, which is a vital part of the notarial function. It establishes that the signature is authentic and that due diligence has been performed to ensure the signer’s identity and willingness. The specific notarial certificate used in this case will reflect the act of witnessing the signature.

While completing an acknowledgment is a common notarial act, it is distinct from the act of attesting a signature since an acknowledgment confirms that a signer has voluntarily signed a document but does not necessarily involve the notary witnessing the signature at the moment it was made. Similarly, performing a verification would apply in situations involving facts or statements rather than the active witnessing of a signature. Therefore, choosing to notarize the document without any further steps would not fulfill the specific requirements indicated in the notarial certificate.