Iowa Notary Acknowledgment Overview
A notary acknowledgment in Iowa is a certificate completed by an IA-commissioned notary public confirming that a signer personally appeared before the notary, was positively identified, and acknowledged signing a document voluntarily. Iowa law prescribes specific statutory wording that must be used for acknowledgment certificates to be valid and accepted by recording offices throughout the state. Using incorrect or out-of-state wording can result in document rejection.
Iowa notary acknowledgments are required for real estate deeds, powers of attorney, trust documents, mortgages, and many other legal instruments filed or recorded in the state. The notary does not verify the content or legality of the document — only the identity of the signer and that the signature was made willingly. Iowa notaries must hold an active commission, maintain proper bonding, and follow all IA notarial procedures when performing acknowledgments.
$5
Max fee per act
3 years
Commission term
Yes
RON allowed
Recommended
Journal
Iowa Acknowledgment Wording
Iowa law prescribes specific statutory wording for notary acknowledgment certificates. Using the correct wording is essential for documents that will be recorded with Iowa county recorders or filed with state agencies. Below are the required acknowledgment forms for different signer types.
Iowa Specific Note
The acknowledgment wording below reflects Iowa's statutory requirements. While substantially similar certificates may be accepted, using the exact statutory language ensures your document will not be rejected for recording. Always verify current requirements with your county recorder's office before filing.
Individual Acknowledgment
County of _______________
On this _____ day of _______________, 20_____, before me, the undersigned, a Notary Public in and for the State of Iowa, personally appeared _______________, to me known to be the identical person named in and who executed the foregoing instrument, and acknowledged that he/she executed the same as his/her voluntary act and deed.
___________________________
Notary Public in and for the State of Iowa
My Commission Expires: _______________
Corporate / Representative Acknowledgment
County of _______________
On this _____ day of _______________, 20_____, before me, the undersigned, a Notary Public in and for the State of Iowa, personally appeared _______________, to me personally known, who being by me duly sworn, did say that he/she is the _______________ [title] of _______________ [entity], and that said instrument was signed on behalf of said entity by authority of its governing body, and said person acknowledged the execution of said instrument to be the voluntary act and deed of said entity.
___________________________
Notary Public in and for the State of Iowa
My Commission Expires: _______________
Multiple Signers Acknowledgment
County of _______________
On this _____ day of _______________, 20_____, before me, the undersigned, a Notary Public in and for the State of Iowa, personally appeared _______________ and _______________, to me known to be the identical persons named in and who executed the foregoing instrument, and acknowledged that they executed the same as their voluntary act and deed.
___________________________
Notary Public in and for the State of Iowa
My Commission Expires: _______________
Iowa Notary Requirements
Iowa has specific requirements for notaries public who perform acknowledgments. Understanding these requirements helps ensure your notarization is valid and your documents will be accepted.
- Commission Term: Iowa notary commissions are valid for 3 years from the date of issuance
- Bond: No bond is required for Iowa notaries
- Exam: No exam is required to become a notary in Iowa
- Journal: Maintaining a notary journal is recommended but not legally required in Iowa
- Seal/Stamp: Iowa notaries must use an official seal or stamp on all notarial certificates
- Max Fee: $5 per notarial act for in-person notarizations
Remote Online Notarization in Iowa
Iowa does allow remote online notarization (RON), which permits signers to appear before a notary via secure audio-video technology rather than in person. RON sessions require multi-factor identity verification including knowledge-based authentication questions, credential analysis of a government-issued ID, and live video confirmation.
RON notaries in Iowa must use approved technology platforms that meet state requirements for security, recording, and record retention. All RON sessions are recorded and the recordings must be stored for the period specified by IA law. RON fees may differ from in-person notarization fees.
Iowa Notary Fees
Iowa regulates the maximum fees notaries may charge for notarial acts. Below is a breakdown of typical notarization costs in Iowa.
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Acknowledgment (per signature) | Up to $5 |
| Jurat (per signature) | Up to $5 |
| Oath / Affirmation | Up to $5 |
| Mobile Notary Travel Fee | Varies (not regulated in most cases) |
| Remote Online Notarization | $25 (typical, may vary by platform) |
Iowa Identification Requirements
Iowa notaries must verify the identity of each signer before performing an acknowledgment. The following forms of identification are generally accepted in Iowa.
Sample Iowa Acknowledgment Certificate
Below is a preview of our Iowa-specific notary acknowledgment certificate. Your customized document will include the exact IA statutory wording and all required notarial elements.
CERTIFICATE OF ACKNOWLEDGMENT
STATE OF IOWA
Individual Acknowledgment
VENUE:
State of Iowa
County of [County]
SIGNER INFORMATION:
Name: [Full Legal Name]
ID Type: [ID Presented]
Date: [Date of Notarization]
NOTARY CERTIFICATION:
Notary Name: [Printed Name]
Commission #: [Number]
Commission Expires: [Date]
Signature:
[NOTARY SEAL / STAMP]
Iowa Notary Acknowledgment FAQ
Answers to common questions about notary acknowledgments in Iowa, including wording requirements, fees, and notarization procedures.
Official Iowa Resources
Use these official resources to verify Iowa notary requirements, find a notary, and access state notary forms and information.
Related Iowa Documents
Documents commonly used alongside notary acknowledgments in Iowa, or that require IA notarization.
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