Photocopies or faxed copies will not be accepted. Unsworn declarations are not accepted. 1.This article and video will show Notaries to fill out each part of a notarial certificate, and common mistakes to avoid. Step 1: Require personal appearance. Almost every state requires the signer to personally appear before you during the notarization. For notaries commissioned or recommissioned on and after January 1, 2016, the seal must also contain the notary public's Secretary of State ID number. On this ___ day of _____, _____, before me, ______, a Notary Public in and for said. On the _______day of ______ in the year_____, before me, the undersigned notary public, personally appeared. When notarizing an affidavit, make sure the signer appears before you in person.