Anatomy of a mineral deed, part 10 of 11
Signature and acknowledgment on a mineral deed
The grantors' signatures and the notary's certificate that each one appeared and acknowledged signing. The acknowledgment is what lets the deed be recorded.
THE STATE OF TEXAS, COUNTY OF SAMPLE. This instrument was acknowledged before me on [date] by [grantor's name]. [Notary's signature and seal]
What it is
Each grantor signs. Where the land was a homestead, both spouses usually need to sign.
The acknowledgment is a notary's certificate that the signer appeared and acknowledged signing. In Texas a deed is normally acknowledged before it is recorded.
What to check
Did every grantor sign, and was each signature acknowledged before a notary?
- A signature for every grantor named at the top, spelled the same way.
- An acknowledgment for every signer, with a date, a county, the notary's name and seal, and the commission date.
- Signers acting for someone else are acknowledged in that role (as executor, as attorney in fact, for a company).
- The acknowledgment date against the deed date and the recording date.
Where it goes wrong
One signer whose acknowledgment is missing or defective. A deed recorded without a proper acknowledgment may not give notice the way a recorded deed normally does, which is a question for an attorney.
See the signature and acknowledgment on the sample deed
Related
We are landmen, not attorneys. This page explains how mineral deeds are usually read. What your deed means can turn on its exact words and on Texas law, and a title opinion comes from an attorney.
Want us to read yours?
Tell us what your deed says and what you want to know. We can read the deed and explain what it conveys, or pull the chain of title in the county records and show how the interest reached you. We read every request and can reply by email.
For a lease, a division order or a check you cannot read, Landman Help works for owners. For a full runsheet or title packet, Landman Services runs the county records.