The notary should always ask the signer to _________, _________________, or _________________ that the person is aware of the terms and existence of the instrument the person has signed, and that the person signed the same freely and willingly.

• A. admit; recognize; acknowledge
• B. confess; declare; notarize
• C. agree; consent; sign
• D. verify; confirm; attest

Answer: (A)

The key idea is that in an acknowledgment, the signer must confirm their awareness of the instrument and that they signed it voluntarily. Saying the signer “admit, recognize, or acknowledge” that they are aware of the terms and existence and that they signed freely is exactly the language a notary uses to capture this voluntary understanding. The other word groups push into actions or labels that don’t fit the signer’s statement: some imply the notary’s action (notarize), some use terms that feel too strong or indirect (confess, declare), and others describe signing or agreement rather than the signer’s acknowledgment of awareness and voluntariness.