Which of the following is the most frequently performed notarial act?

The most frequently performed notarial act is the acknowledgment. An acknowledgment is a formal declaration made before a notary public by a person who has signed a document, stating that they signed it willingly and for the purposes stated in the document. This act serves to verify the identity of the signer and the intent behind their signature.

The reason acknowledgments are so common is that they are often required for various legal documents to ensure validity. This includes contracts, deeds, and other instruments that may need to be recorded in public records. The simplicity of this act, combined with its necessity in legal processes, contributes to its frequent occurrence in notary practices.

In contrast, the other acts mentioned have specific uses that occur less often in day-to-day transactions. For example, a deposition is a process in which a witness gives sworn evidence, which is less frequent and usually part of a legal proceeding rather than general notarial work. A jurat involves a notary witnessing the signing of a document and administering an oath, which is also less common compared to acknowledgments. An oath on a deed of trust is a specialized act that pertains to specific legal contexts, making it less frequently executed than acknowledgments.