The notary does not have to watch the signature be made. A notary first identifies the signer to be the person whose name is signed to the document. The identification can be made through personal knowledge or through appropriate credentials such as a driver's license. Documents will often have the acknowledgment phrase pre-printed on them, in which case the notary merely fills in the blanks. The Kentucky notary public is empowered to administer most types of oath.
State law sets forth the form of the oath of office for most public officials.
Some oaths of office must be administered by a specific official other than a notary. If you are uncertain, ask for legal advice. Depositions, affidavits, hearings and government documents are common occasions for the use of the oath of testimony. Though self-notarization is not specifically prohibited in a statute, the practice would defeat the entire purpose of a certificate of acknowledgment, which is to obtain independent, reliable confirmation of the act of signing a document. There is no specific prohibition against notarizing for a family member.