The certificate of acknowledgment (PDF) must be in the form set forth in California Civil Code section 1189. This article and video will show Notaries to fill out each part of a notarial certificate, and common mistakes to avoid.WITNESS my hand and official seal. Signature. (Seal). A notary public or other officer completing this certificate verifies only the identity of the individual. If you're in California and need to notarize a document, this stepbystep guide will walk you through the process. To notarize a California Notary Acknowledgment, you must be present when the person signing an official document appears before the Notary. The acknowledgment form is set forth in Civil Code section 1189.