Which practice involves witnessing the signature of a signer?

The practice that involves witnessing the signature of a signer is acknowledgment. In this process, the notary public verifies the identity of the signer and ensures they understand the contents of the document they are signing. During an acknowledgment, the signer appears before the notary and explicitly acknowledges that they are voluntarily signing the document.

This process serves to confirm the authenticity of the signature and the intention behind the act of signing, providing assurance to all parties involved that the document is legitimate and executed according to the law. Acknowledgment is a crucial step in many legal transactions, helping to prevent fraud and ensuring that individuals are fully informed about their actions.

In contrast, while an affidavit involves an individual making a sworn statement, it does not inherently require the witnessing of the signature by a notary in the same way. Affirmation is similar to an oath, serving as a declaration of truth but also does not focus solely on witnessing a signature. An amendment refers to modifying an existing document and does not relate to witnessing signatures.