What statute governs Delaware acknowledgment forms?

29 Del. C. 4328 sets the short form certificates under the Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts in Title 29, Chapter 43.

How long is a Delaware notary commission?

The applicant chooses either a two-year or four-year term, a Delaware peculiarity, and must file the executed oath with the Department of State before acting.

Does the signer sign in front of the Delaware notary?

Not for an acknowledgment. The instrument may be pre-signed, but the signer appears, is identified, and declares in a short verbal ceremony that they signed voluntarily.

Delaware Notary Acknowledgment: Free Fillable Form & 2026 Wording

This content is educational and informational, not legal advice. The wording reflects Delaware Code Title 29, Chapter 43 (the Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts), but the law can change. Confirm the current form with the Delaware Department of State before relying on it.

Quick answer: A Delaware acknowledgment certifies that a named person appeared before the notary and acknowledged signing a document. The statutory short form under 29 Del. C. 4328 reads "This instrument was acknowledged before me on (date) by (name)." The venue names the state and county, and the certificate needs the notary's signature, seal, title, and commission expiration. Delaware is one of the few states where the Governor makes the appointment. Fill it below.

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Fillable Delaware acknowledgment certificate

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

What is the exact Delaware acknowledgment wording?

Delaware's individual acknowledgment short form under 29 Del. C. 4328 is brief and uses "instrument," and the state has adopted the Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts.

State of Delaware
County of ______

This instrument was acknowledged before me on ______ (date) by ______ (name of person).

___________________________________
(Signature of notarial officer)

(Seal)
Title: ______
My commission expires: ______

What must a Delaware acknowledgment include?

A Delaware acknowledgment must include the state and county venue, the date, the signer's name, and the notary's signature, official seal, title, and commission expiration date. The notary determines identity from personal knowledge or satisfactory evidence before completing the certificate. Delaware performs a short verbal ceremony for acknowledgments, asking the signer to declare they understand the record and signed it voluntarily for the stated purpose. The seal is affixed to the tangible record.

Element	What goes there
Venue	State of Delaware and the county
Date	The date the instrument was acknowledged
Signer	Name of the person acknowledging
Notary	Signature, seal, title, commission expiration date

Who commissions notaries in Delaware?

Delaware notaries are appointed by the Governor, a rarity, though the Governor delegates the duty to the Secretary of State, who regulates notaries and keeps the records. A notary chooses a term of either two or four years, another Delaware peculiarity, and cannot perform acts until the Department of State receives a copy of the fully executed oath. The fee is capped at five dollars per act, and up to twenty-five dollars for a notarial act on an electronic record. Delaware notaries must keep a journal.

When do you use an acknowledgment instead of a jurat in Delaware?

You use an acknowledgment when the signer confirms they signed a document willingly, and a verification on oath or affirmation when they must swear the statement is true. For an acknowledgment, Delaware allows the instrument to be pre-signed; the signer appears, is identified, and declares in a short verbal ceremony that they signed voluntarily. A verification requires an oath or affirmation. Deeds, powers of attorney, and business records typically call for an acknowledgment.

What common mistakes void a Delaware acknowledgment?

The common mistakes are skipping the verbal ceremony, leaving the county or commission expiration blank, and acting before the executed oath reaches the Department of State. Delaware requires the notary to determine identity from personal knowledge or satisfactory evidence, so notarizing an unidentified signer is improper. A notary may not certify a copy of a public record. Using an expired commission is prohibited, and the notary must disable a stamping device once the commission expires.

Delaware acknowledgment: frequently asked questions

What statute governs Delaware acknowledgment forms?: 29 Del. C. 4328 sets the short form certificates under the Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts in Title 29, Chapter 43.
Who appoints Delaware notaries?: The Governor appoints them, delegating the duty to the Secretary of State, who regulates notaries and maintains the records, which is unusual among states.
How long is a Delaware notary commission?: The applicant chooses either a two-year or four-year term, a Delaware peculiarity, and must file the executed oath with the Department of State before acting.
Does the signer sign in front of the Delaware notary?: Not for an acknowledgment. The instrument may be pre-signed, but the signer appears, is identified, and declares in a short verbal ceremony that they signed voluntarily.
How much can a Delaware notary charge?: Up to five dollars per notarial act, and up to twenty-five dollars for a notarial act performed on an electronic record.

Published June 13, 2026 by the Trámites Notariales US editorial team. Sources: Delaware Code Title 29, Chapter 43, sections 4327, 4328 and 4307; the Delaware Department of State Notary Public Section. Confirm current wording before relying on it.