(a) In addition to the acknowledgment of instruments and the performance of other notarial acts in the manner and form and as otherwise authorized by law, instruments may be acknowledged, documents attested, oaths and affirmations administered, depositions and affidavits executed, and other notarial acts performed before or by any commissioned officer in active service of the armed forces of the United States with the rank of second lieutenant or higher in the army, marine corps, or air force, or with the rank of ensign or higher in the navy or coast guard, or with equivalent rank in any other component part of the armed forces of the United States by any person who either is: (1) A member of the armed forces of the United States; or (2) Serving as a merchant seaman outside the limits of the United States included within the 48 states and the District of Columbia; or (3) Outside the limits by permission, assignment or direction of any department or official of the United States government, in connection with any activity pertaining to the prosecution of any war in which the United States is then engaged. (b) Such acknowledgment of instruments, attestation of documents, administration of oaths and affirmations, execution of depositions and affidavits, and performance of other notarial acts made or taken are declared legal, valid and binding. Instruments and documents so acknowledged, authenticated or sworn to shall be admissible in evidence and eligible to record in this State under the same circumstances, and with the same force and effect, as if such acknowledgment, attestation, oath, affirmation, deposition, affidavit or other notarial act had been made or taken within this State before or by a duly qualified officer or official as otherwise provided by law. (c) In the taking of acknowledgments and the performing of other notarial acts requiring certification, a certificate indorsed upon or attached to the instrument or documents, which shows the date of the notarial act and which states, in substance, that the person appearing before the officer acknowledged the instrument as the person's act or made or signed the instrument or document under oath, shall be sufficient for all intents and purposes. The instrument or document shall not be rendered invalid by the failure to state the place of execution or acknowledgment. (d) If the signature, rank and branch of service or subdivision thereof of any such commissioned officer appears upon such instrument or document or certificate, no further proof of the authority of such officer so to act shall be required, and such action by such commissioned officer shall be prima facie evidence that the person making such oath or acknowledgment is within the purview of this section. (Code 1915, § 3209; Code 1935, § 3670; 44 Del. Laws, c. 165; 45 Del. Laws, c. 227, §§ 1, 2; 25 Del. C. 1953, § 130; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1; 84 Del. Laws, c. 42, § 87.)
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