Ohio Notary Practice Exam

Is a witness signature necessary for a valid Acknowledgment?

1. Yes, always

2. No, it is not necessary

3. Only for certain documents

4. It is preferred but not required

The correct answer is: No, it is not necessary

A valid acknowledgment does not require a witness signature. The primary purpose of an acknowledgment is to confirm that the person signing the document has done so voluntarily and that the signature is genuine. In Ohio, as well as in many other states, the notary's role includes verifying the identity of the signer and ensuring that they understand the contents of the document they are signing. This means that the presence of a witness is not mandated for the acknowledgment process. Instead, the notary's certification itself serves as the verification. While there could be specific circumstances or types of documents where additional requirements might be applicable, in general practice for acknowledgments, no witness is needed. The other options suggest circumstances where a witness could be required, which is not the case for standard acknowledgments in Ohio. Therefore, the understanding that a witness signature is not necessary solidifies the correctness of the answer provided.