A signer mailed a deed to a notary and later called to confirm that the signature on the deed was theirs. Under the source material, what is required before the notary may properly take the acknowledgment?
Signers must appear in person before the notary to complete an acknowledgment.
The signer does not need to re-sign; acknowledgment can occur without presence during signing.
This matches the rule for acknowledgments in the source. A notary must not take an acknowledgment unless the notary knows or has satisfactory evidence that the person making it is the person described in and who executed the instrument, and the source specifically says the signer must appear personally before the notary.
The signer must personally appear before the notary for acknowledgment, regardless of prior signing.
Explanation
An acknowledgment requires the notary to certify the identity of the person and the execution of the document. The notary must know or have satisfactory evidence that the person making the acknowledgment is the person described in and who executed the instrument. The source also states that taking acknowledgments over the telephone is illegal and that the person must appear personally before the notary. Although the signer does not need to sign the instrument in the notary's presence for an acknowledgment, personal appearance is still required.
Memory Aid
Acknowledge = 'Appear to Acknowledge': the signer may sign earlier, but must personally appear.