How does a notary public act as an official witness? If a document presented for notarization does not contain a notarial certificate reflecting the taking of an oath or acknowledgment, a notary may witness the signing of the document in the notary's official capacity as follows: a. Obtain satisfactory proof of the identity of the person signing the document; b. Observe the signing of the document; c. Date, sign and apply the notary's seal or stamp to the document; d. Indicate the date on which the notary's commission expires; and e. Record the notarization in the notary's register of official acts. |