Final answer:
The grantor must state to the notary that the signing of the deed is an acknowledgment. The acknowledgment is a formal declaration that the signing is done willingly and purposely for the intents stated in the deed.
Step-by-step explanation:
The student has asked what a grantor must state to the notary during the process of signing a deed. The correct answer to the question, 'The grantor must state to the notary that the signing of the deed is ________,' is C) acknowledgment.
An acknowledgment is a formal declaration before an authorized official, such as a notary, by the person who signs a document that such signing is their own act, and is done willingly for the purposes stated in the document. This is a common legal process in the signing of important documents, including deeds, to confirm authenticity and intent. The options of confirmation, authentication, and validation do not accurately represent the act of stating to a notary that the signing is deliberate and voluntary, which is why acknowledgment is the correct choice.