§ 18-12-206 - Manner of making acknowledgment -- Proof of deed or instrument -- Proof of identity of grantor or witness.
18-12-206. Manner of making acknowledgment -- Proof of deed or instrument -- Proof of identity of grantor or witness.
(a) The acknowledgment of deeds and instruments of writing for the conveyance of real estate, or whereby such real estate is to be affected in law or equity, shall be by the grantor appearing in person before a court or officer having the authority by law to take the acknowledgment and stating that he or she had executed the deed or instrument for the consideration and purposes therein mentioned and set forth.
(b) When a deed or instrument referred to in subsection (a) of this section is to be proved, it shall be done by one (1) or more of the subscribing witnesses personally appearing before the proper court or officer and stating on oath that he or she saw the grantor subscribe the deed or instrument of writing or that the grantor acknowledged in his or her presence that he or she had subscribed and executed the deed or instrument for the purposes and consideration therein mentioned, and that he or she had subscribed the deed or instrument as a witness at the request of the grantor.
(c) If any grantor has not acknowledged the execution of a deed or instrument referred to in subsection (a) of this section and the subscribing witnesses are dead or cannot be had, then the deed or instrument may be proved by the evidence of the handwriting of the grantor and of at least one (1) of the subscribing witnesses. This evidence shall consist of the deposition of two (2) or more disinterested persons, swearing to each signature.
(d) (1) When any grantor in any deed or instrument that conveys real estate or whereby any real estate may be affected in law or equity, or any witness to any like instrument, shall present himself or herself before any court or other officer for the purpose of acknowledging or proving the execution of the deed or instrument, if the grantor or witness shall be personally unknown to the court or officer, his or her identity and his or her being the person he or she purports to be on the face of such instrument of writing shall be proved to the court or officer.
(2) Proof may be made by witnesses known to the court or officer or by the affidavit of the grantor or witness if the court or officer shall be satisfied therewith. The proof or affidavit shall also be endorsed on the deed or instrument of writing.