State-Specific Notary Laws: Each state has its own distinct notary public laws and regulations that must be followed. Requirements can vary significantly between states, and the format must comply with state-specific statutory requirements.

Uniform Law on Notarial Acts (ULONA): A standardized set of guidelines for notarial acts that has been adopted by many states, though with variations. Sets basic requirements for acknowledgements and provides a framework for consistency.

Federal Requirements: Includes provisions for interstate recognition of notarial acts and federal court requirements for notarized documents.

Essential Elements Required by Law: Mandatory components including venue (state and county), date of notarization, notary's official signature, commission expiration date, notary seal/stamp (if required by state), clear identification of the signer, and statement of acknowledgement.

State-Specific Requirements: Additional state-level requirements including proper notarial certificate wording, specific seal/stamp requirements, and other state-mandated elements that may vary by jurisdiction.