Laws and definitions regarding acknowledgements vary from state to state. However, there are several issues that are common to almost every jurisdiction. Generally, an acknowledgement refers to a form of certification made by a notary public, judicial officer, or other authorized individual which is attached to deeds, security instruments, leases and other real estate instruments, certifying that the maker or makers of such instruments appeared before the notary, judicial officer or other authorized individual and acknowledged that they signed the instrument freely and voluntarily (without compulsion, fear, or under duress), and for the purposes indicated in the instrument.