What statute governs North Dakota acknowledgment forms?

North Dakota Century Code Chapter 44-06.1, the Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts, sets the short form certificates and notary duties.

How long is a North Dakota notary commission?

Four years, commissioned by the Secretary of State, with a surety bond filed before the commission takes effect.

North Dakota Notary Acknowledgment: Free Fillable Form & Wording

This content is educational and informational, not legal advice. The wording reflects North Dakota Century Code Chapter 44-06.1 under the Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts, but the law can change. Confirm the current form with the North Dakota Secretary of State before relying on it.

Quick answer: A North Dakota acknowledgment certifies that a named person appeared and acknowledged signing a record. The short form under Chapter 44-06.1 reads "This record was acknowledged before me on (date) by (name)." The venue names the state and county. North Dakota has an unusual rule: a document in another language cannot be notarized unless an English translation is permanently attached. Fill the certificate below.

Open the free fillable certificate ↓

Fillable North Dakota acknowledgment certificate

Enter the details and the certificate updates live with the statutory North Dakota wording. Copy or print it, then attach it to your document. The notary completes and signs the final certificate after verifying identity; this tool just prepares the correct form.

What is the exact North Dakota acknowledgment wording?

North Dakota's individual short form under Chapter 44-06.1 uses "record," since the state follows the Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts.

State of North Dakota
County of ______

This record was acknowledged before me on ______ (date) by ____________ (name(s) of individual(s)).

___________________________________
(Signature of notarial officer)
(Stamp)
(Title of office): ______
My commission expires: ______

Can a North Dakota notary notarize a document in another language?

Only when a permanently affixed and accurate written English translation is attached, otherwise a North Dakota notary must refuse the document. This is a strict rule that many states leave unaddressed, and it exists because a notary cannot vouch for a record they cannot read. The translation has to be attached to the document itself, not handed over loose or described verbally. For a Spanish, Somali, or other non-English document, arrange a written translation and affix it before the appointment, or the notary is right to decline.

Does North Dakota allow remote ink notarization?

Yes, North Dakota permits remote ink notarization for paper acknowledgments, where the signer signs the paper document on camera during a live audio-video session and then mails the original to the notary. The notary must receive the signed original within three days before completing the notarial certificate. This is separate from full remote online notarization, which uses electronic documents and signatures. Both require the notary to notify the Secretary of State first and to identify the remote signer during the session.

Method	How it works
In person	Signer appears, is identified, acknowledges the signature
Remote online	Electronic record and signature over audio-video technology
Remote ink	Paper signed on camera, original mailed to the notary within three days

Can a North Dakota notary notarize for a spouse?

No, a North Dakota notary may not perform a notarial act for their spouse, or in any transaction where the notary has a direct beneficial interest. The rule protects the impartiality that gives a notarization its value, and a certificate completed for a spouse or for the notary's own benefit can be challenged. This goes beyond the universal ban on notarizing your own signature. If a document involves the notary's family or finances, the safe course is to have a different, disinterested notary handle it.

Who commissions notaries in North Dakota?

The Secretary of State commissions North Dakota notaries for a four-year term, after the applicant files a surety bond and meets the state's requirements. A notary must sign each certificate in the same manner as the signature on file with the Secretary of State, and complete the certificate at the time of the act, never before or after. A notary who changes their name notifies the Secretary of State within sixty days and files a bond rider showing the new name before using an updated stamp.

North Dakota acknowledgment: frequently asked questions

What statute governs North Dakota acknowledgment forms?: North Dakota Century Code Chapter 44-06.1, the Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts, sets the short form certificates and notary duties.
Can a North Dakota notary notarize a document in another language?: Only if a permanently affixed, accurate written English translation is attached. Without it, a North Dakota notary must decline the document.
Does North Dakota allow remote ink notarization?: Yes. For paper acknowledgments, the signer may sign on camera and mail the original to the notary within three days under North Dakota's remote ink rules.
Can a North Dakota notary notarize for a spouse?: No. A North Dakota notary may not notarize for a spouse or where the notary has a direct beneficial interest in the transaction.
How long is a North Dakota notary commission?: Four years, commissioned by the Secretary of State, with a surety bond filed before the commission takes effect.

Published June 13, 2026 by the Trámites Notariales US editorial team. Sources: North Dakota Century Code Chapter 44-06.1 (Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts) and section 44-06-13.1; the North Dakota Secretary of State notary resources on performing notarial acts. Confirm current wording before relying on it.