In the past I've seen mention on the internet that for an acknowledgement to be valid in MA, it must say that the signer acknowledged that he/she signed voluntarily, or words to that effect. This applied even if the acknowledgement was taken out of state. The traditional wording in my state, VT, "free act and deed", met the requirement.
I found a web site that says the same thing:
https://www.mass.gov/memorandum/form-of-acknowledgments-and-powers-of-attorney
"Accordingly, acknowledged documents used in connection with the conveyance of registered land in Massachusetts – whether notarized within the Commonwealth of Massachusetts or another state – must use a form of acknowledgment that conforms substantially with the statutory form language set forth in c. 222 § 15(b), which includes an acknowledgment that the document was signed voluntarily for its stated purpose."
The California all-purpose-acknowledgement does not mention that the signer signed voluntarily, so apparently wouldn't meet the requirement.
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