Maryland Notary Acknowledgment: Free Fillable Form & 2026 Wording
This content is educational and informational, not legal advice. The wording reflects the Maryland State Government Article, section 18-216, under Maryland's Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts, but the law can change. Confirm the current form with the Maryland Secretary of State before relying on it.
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Fillable Maryland acknowledgment certificate
Enter the details and the certificate updates live with the statutory Maryland wording. Copy the text 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 Maryland acknowledgment wording?
Maryland's individual acknowledgment short form under State Government 18-216 uses "record," and keeps the older day-month-year date structure rather than a single date blank.
State of Maryland
County of ______ (or Baltimore City)
This record was acknowledged before me on the ______ day of ____________, 20____ by ____________.
Signature of notarial officer
Title of office: ______
Stamp
My commission expires: ______
Why does a Maryland acknowledgment say Baltimore City instead of a county?
Baltimore City is an independent city that belongs to no county, so a notarization performed there names Baltimore City in the venue rather than a county. Maryland official forms print the venue as "County of ______ (or Baltimore City)" for exactly this reason. Writing "Baltimore County" when the act happened in the city is a real error, because Baltimore County is a separate jurisdiction that surrounds but does not include the city. A recorder in either jurisdiction can question a certificate that names the wrong one.
Why is there no commission number on a Maryland certificate?
There is no commission number because Maryland does not issue commission numbers to notaries public, which surprises people used to seeing one on a stamp. The Maryland certificate is identified by the notary's signature, title of office, stamp, and commission expiration date instead. If a form or an out-of-state recipient demands a "notary commission number," a Maryland notary has none to give, and the correct response is to point to the expiration date and the Secretary of State's public notary search. The seal may carry an optional symbol or device the notary chooses, but nothing requires one.
| Element | What goes there |
|---|---|
| Venue | State of Maryland and the county, or Baltimore City |
| Date | Day, month, and year of the acknowledgment |
| Signer | Name of the individual acknowledging |
| Notary | Signature, title of office, stamp, commission expiration |
Who commissions notaries in Maryland?
The Governor appoints Maryland notaries, but the application first goes to the State Senator for the applicant's senatorial district, a step no other state uses. After the Secretary of State processes the application and the Senator signs off, the commission is issued under the Great Seal of the State, signed by the Governor and the Secretary of State. The appointee then has thirty days to appear before the Clerk of the Circuit Court, pay the clerk's fees, and take the oath of office, or the commission is revoked. The term runs four years, and Maryland requires no bond.
What does a Maryland mortgage need beyond the acknowledgment?
A Maryland mortgage or deed of trust needs an acknowledgment from the borrower plus a separate oath or affirmation, made by the lender or someone on the lender's behalf, that the consideration recited in the document is true and bona fide as set forth. This second act catches people out, because the borrower's acknowledgment alone is not enough for recording. The notary takes the acknowledgment first, then administers the oath on consideration to the lender's representative. Missing that oath is a common reason a deed of trust comes back from the clerk.
Maryland acknowledgment: frequently asked questions
- What statute governs Maryland acknowledgment forms?
- The Maryland State Government Article, section 18-216, sets the short form certificates, with the required certificate contents in section 18-215.
- Do Maryland notaries have a commission number?
- No. Maryland does not issue commission numbers to notaries public. The certificate carries the signature, title of office, stamp, and commission expiration date.
- Why does the Maryland venue mention Baltimore City?
- Baltimore City is an independent city belonging to no county, so acts performed there name Baltimore City in the venue instead of a county.
- How long is a Maryland notary commission?
- Four years. The commission runs from the oath taken before the Clerk of the Circuit Court, which must happen within thirty days or the appointment is revoked.
- Does Maryland require a notary bond?
- No. Maryland does not require a bond, but applicants must complete an approved course and exam and be endorsed by their State Senator.
Published June 13, 2026 by the Trámites Notariales US editorial team. Sources: Maryland State Government Article sections 18-215 and 18-216 (Maryland General Assembly); the Handbook for Maryland Notaries Public, Office of the Secretary of State; Maryland Judiciary clerk of the circuit court notary information. Confirm current wording before relying on it.