Indiana Notary Acknowledgment: Free Fillable Form & 2026 Wording
This content is educational and informational, not legal advice. The wording reflects Indiana Code Title 33, Article 42, but the law can change and other forms are permitted. Confirm the current form with the Indiana Secretary of State before relying on it.
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Fillable Indiana acknowledgment certificate
Enter the details and the certificate updates live with the statutory Indiana wording, including the printed name and county of residence Indiana requires beneath the signature. Copy or print it, then attach it to your document. The notary completes and signs the final certificate after verifying identity.
What is the exact Indiana acknowledgment wording?
Indiana's individual acknowledgment uses the traditional "personally appeared" form and requires the notary to add a printed name and county of residence, consistent with Indiana Code 33-42-9-12.
State of Indiana
County of ______ SS:
Before me, a Notary Public in and for said County and State, personally appeared ____________, who acknowledged the execution of the foregoing instrument this ______ day of ____________, 20____.
(Signature of Notary Public)
Printed name: ______
My commission expires: ______
County of residence: ______
(Seal)
What must an Indiana acknowledgment include?
An Indiana acknowledgment must include the county and state venue, the date, the signer, and the notary's signature, official seal, commission expiration, printed name, and county of residence. Indiana specifically requires the notary to print or type their name beneath the signature and indicate their county, unless the name already appears in the seal legibly. The seal is affixed to the certificate, and no change may ever be made to the impression of an official seal once applied.
| Element | What goes there |
|---|---|
| Venue | State of Indiana and the county where the signer appears |
| Date and signer | Date of the act and the person acknowledging |
| Notary | Signature, printed name, seal, commission expiration |
| County of residence | The notary's Indiana county, stated on the certificate |
What must an Indiana notary seal say?
An Indiana notary seal must contain the words "Notary Public," "State of Indiana," the notary's name exactly as commissioned, the words "Commission Number" followed by the number, and the words "My Commission Expires" followed by the date. Indiana is unusual in requiring those exact labels on the stamp, not just the values, so a seal that lists a bare number without the phrase "Commission Number" does not comply. The seal must photocopy with the document, and the notary may add other information if they choose.
Who commissions notaries in Indiana?
Indiana notaries are commissioned for an eight-year term, one of the longest in the country, and while the Governor nominally appoints them, the Secretary of State administers the process and keeps the records. Applicants complete an education course and an exam, pay a fee, and file a $25,000 bond. A notary's jurisdiction is statewide, but they cannot perform an act for themselves, their spouse, or any party that would directly benefit them. Providing legal advice is prohibited.
When do you use an acknowledgment instead of a jurat in Indiana?
You use an acknowledgment when the signer confirms they executed a document, and a jurat when they swear the statement is true. For an acknowledgment, Indiana lets the signer sign beforehand or affirm the signature is theirs, then acknowledge execution before the notary. A jurat requires signing before the notary and an oath. Indiana also bars taking an acknowledgment from a person who does not understand English unless the document is translated, and from a blind person unless it is read to them.
Indiana acknowledgment: frequently asked questions
- What statute governs Indiana acknowledgment forms?
- Indiana Code Title 33, Article 42, sets the notarial certificate requirements, including IC 33-42-9-12 for the certificate and IC 33-42-10-2 for the seal.
- What must an Indiana notary seal spell out?
- The words "Commission Number" and the number, plus "My Commission Expires" and the date, along with the notary's name, "Notary Public," and "State of Indiana."
- How long is an Indiana notary commission?
- Eight years, one of the longest terms of any state. The Secretary of State administers the process and maintains the notary records.
- Does an Indiana notary add their county?
- Yes. The notary prints or types their name beneath the signature and indicates their Indiana county of residence on the certificate.
- Can an Indiana notary act for a relative?
- No. A notary cannot perform an act for themselves, their spouse, or any party that would directly benefit the notary or their spouse.
Published June 13, 2026 by the Trámites Notariales US editorial team. Sources: Indiana Code Title 33, Article 42, sections 33-42-9-12, 33-42-10-2 and 33-42-13-3; the Indiana Secretary of State Notary Public Guide. Confirm current wording before relying on it.