Which common notarial act involves confirming that a signer is executing a document willingly?

The acknowledgment is the notarial act that specifically confirms that a signer is executing a document willingly and intentionally. During this process, the notary public ensures that the individual appears before them, acknowledges that they are the person named in the document, and voluntarily executes the document for the purposes stated within it. This act is essential for verifying that the signer understands the content of the document and is not under duress or coerced into signing.

In contrast, a jurat involves the notary administering an oath or affirmation to the signer, confirming the truthfulness of the contents of the document, rather than confirming the willingness to execute it. An oath is a formal declaration of truth, while an affirmation serves a similar purpose but does not invoke a religious connotation. Therefore, while these other acts play important roles in the notary's function, they do not specifically address the aspect of willingness in the execution of a document as the acknowledgment does.