# State Government (GSG)

## Title 18. Notarial Acts

### Subtitle 2. Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts

#### Section 18-204

(a) A notarial officer who takes an acknowledgment of a record shall determine, from personal knowledge or satisfactory evidence of the identity of the individual in accordance with Sec. 18-206 of this subtitle, that:

  (1) the individual appearing before the notarial officer and making the acknowledgment has the identity claimed; and

  (2) the signature on the record is the signature of the individual.

(b) A notarial officer who takes a verification on oath or affirmation of a statement shall determine, from personal knowledge or satisfactory evidence of the identity of the individual in accordance with Sec. 18-206 of this subtitle, that:

  (1) the individual appearing before the notarial officer and making the verification has the identity claimed; and

  (2) the signature on the statement verified is the signature of the individual.

(c) A notarial officer who witnesses or attests to a signature shall determine, from personal knowledge or satisfactory evidence of the identity of the individual in accordance with Sec. 18-206 of this subtitle, that the individual appearing before the notarial officer and signing the record has the identity claimed.

(d) A notarial officer who certifies or attests a copy of a record or an item that was copied shall determine that the copy is a full, true, and accurate transcription or reproduction of the record or item.

(e)

  (1) A notarial officer who certifies that a tangible copy of an electronic record is an accurate copy of the electronic record shall:

    (i) reasonably determine whether the electronic record is in a tamper-evident format; and

    (ii) personally print or supervise the printing of the electronic record onto paper or other tangible medium.

  (2) A notarial officer who certifies that a tangible copy of an electronic record is an accurate copy of the electronic record may not make the certification if the notarial officer has detected a change or an error in an electronic signature or other information in the electronic record.

(f) A notarial officer who makes or notes a protest of a negotiable instrument shall make or note the protest in accordance with Sec. 3-505(b) of the Commercial Law Article.

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Md. Code Ann., State Gov't (as displayed at mgaleg.maryland.gov, October 16, 2026)