An acknowledgment (ACK) ensures that the signer is the person named on the paper. So, the job of the Notary Public (NP or notary) is to identify the signer and stamp. It’s that simple. The flexibility of the ACK is that a person may sign it ahead of time. There is no need to sign it in front of the NP. However, you must still present proper identification to have your document sealed by yours truly, the notary public.