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ARTICLE 18.

ARTICLE 18.

COMMISSIONERS TO TAKE ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

1. Biennial appointment of. 2. Tenure. 3. Oath. 4. Authority to administer oath. 5. Acknowledgments before.

6. Certificate of qualification. 7. Commissioners in foreign countries. 8. Oath of such commissioners. 9. Payment to state for commission.

An. Code, sec. 1. 1904, sec. 1. 1888, sec. 1. 1837, ch. 97, sec. 1. 1852, ch. 106, sec. 1.

1. The governor, by and with the advice and consent of the senate, shall
biennially appoint and commission one or more commissioners in each
State, district or territory of the United States, who shall have authority
to take the acknowledgment and proof of the execution of any deed or other
conveyance or lease of any lands, tenements or hereditaments lying in this
State, or any contract, letter of attorney, or any other writing, under seal,
to be used and recorded in this State.

An. Code, sec. 2. 1904, sec. 2. 1888, sec. 2. 1852, ch. 106, sec. 1.

2. The said commissioners shall hold their office as other civil officers
of this State similarly appointed.

An. Code, sec. 3. 1904, sec. 3. 1888, sec. 3. 1837, ch. 97, sec. 3. 1852, ch. 106, sec. 3.

1884, ch. 210.

3. Every commissioner so appointed shall take and subscribe an oath
before a justice of the peace or notary public in the city or county in which
he shall reside, well and faithfully to execute and perform all the duties
of such commissioner under and by virtue of the laws of this State, and
shall also procure an official seal, a distinct impression of which, taken upon
wax or some other substance capable of receiving and retaining a clear
impression, together with his signature in his own proper handwriting
thereto attached, shall, with the oath of office aforesaid, be transmitted to
and filed in the office of the secretary of State.

An. Code, sec. 4. 1904, sec. 4. 1888, sec. 4. 1837, ch. 97, sec. 2.

4. Every commissioner so appointed and qualified shall have authority
to administer an oath to any person desirous to make such oath before him,
and such oath shall be as good and effectual as if made before a justice of
the peace in this State.

An. Code, sec. 5. 1904, sec. 5. 1888, sec. 5. 1837, ch. 97, sec. 1.

5. Any acknowledgment made or proof taken before any such commis-
sioner in the manner directed by the laws of this State, and certified to
under his seal, and endorsed on or annexed to the deed or instrument of