The following words and phrases when used in this chapter shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
"Acknowledgment."A declaration by an individual before a notarial officer that:
(1) the individual has signed a record for the purpose stated in the record; and
(2) if the record is signed in a representative capacity, the individual signed the record with proper authority and signed it as the act of the individual or entity identified in the record.
"Bureau." The Bureau of Commissions, Elections and Legislation.
"Conviction." Whether or not judgment of sentence has been imposed, any of the following:
(1) An entry of a plea of guilty or nolo contendere.
(2) A guilty verdict, whether after trial by judge or by jury.
(3) A finding of not guilty due to insanity or of guilty but mentally ill.
"Department." The Department of State of the Commonwealth.
"Electronic." Relating to technology having electrical, digital, magnetic, wireless, optical, electromagnetic or similar capabilities.
"Electronic signature." An electronic symbol, sound or process attached to or logically associated with a record and executed or adopted by an individual with the intent to sign the record.
"In a representative capacity." Acting as:
(1) an authorized officer, agent, partner, trustee or other representative for a person other than an individual;
(2) a public officer, personal representative, guardian or other representative, in the capacity stated in a record;
(3) an agent or attorney-in-fact for a principal; or
(4) an authorized representative of another in any other capacity.
"Notarial act." An act, whether performed with respect to a tangible or electronic record, that a notarial officer may perform under the laws of this Commonwealth. The term includes:
(1) taking an acknowledgment;
(2) administering an oath or affirmation;
(3) taking a verification on oath or affirmation;
(4) witnessing or attesting a signature;
(5) certifying or attesting a copy or deposition; and
(6) noting a protest of a negotiable instrument.
"Notarial officer." A notary public or other individual authorized to perform a notarial act.
"Notary public." An individual commissioned to perform a notarial act by the department.
"Official stamp." A physical image affixed to or embossed on a tangible record or an electronic image attached to or logically associated with an electronic record. The term includes a notary seal.
"Person." Any of the following:
(1) Any individual, corporation, business trust, statutory trust, estate, trust, partnership, limited liability company, association, joint venture or public corporation.
(2) A government or governmental subdivision, agency or instrumentality.
(3) Any other legal or commercial entity.
"Record." Information that is inscribed on a tangible medium or that is stored in an electronic or other medium and is retrievable in perceivable form.
"Recorder of deeds." A county recorder of deeds or an official with similar duties and responsibilities. The term includes the commissioner of records of a county of the first class and the manager of the department of real estate of a county of the second class.
"Secretary." The Secretary of the Commonwealth.
"Sign." With present intent to authenticate or adopt a record:
(1) to execute or adopt a tangible symbol; or
(2) to attach to or logically associate with the record an electronic symbol, sound or process.
"Signature." A tangible symbol or an electronic signature which evidences the signing of a record.
"Stamping device." Any of the following:
(1) A physical device capable of affixing to or embossing on a tangible record an official stamp.
(2) An electronic device or process capable of attaching to or logically associating with an electronic record an official stamp.
"State." A state of the United States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands or any territory or insular possession subject to the jurisdiction of the United States.
"Verification on oath or affirmation." A declaration, made by an individual on oath or affirmation before a notarial officer, that a statement in a record is true. The term includes an affidavit.