What is the consequence of a notary failing to complete the notarial certificate?

The acknowledgment is considered invalid if a notary fails to complete the notarial certificate. The notarial certificate serves as a crucial part of the notarization process, indicating that the notary has performed their required duties, which include confirming the identity of the signer and witnessing the signing of the document. Without this certification, there is no official record that supports the validity of the acknowledgment, making it unenforceable.

The integrity of notarized documents relies heavily on the proper completion of the notarial certificate. If critical information, such as the date of notarization or the identity of the signer, is missing, the document's legitimacy can be challenged. Therefore, without a completed notarial certificate, the acknowledgment cannot be recognized as valid, potentially causing issues in any subsequent legal proceedings or transactions involving the document.