The deed of any person, for the conveyance of real estate within this state, or for any other purpose, powers of attorneys, and other instruments requiring acknowledgments or the taking and subscribing of oaths, may, if such person is engaged in the military service of the United States, be acknowledged before any officer in said service of the rank of Sergeant or higher, and, if such person is engaged in the naval service of the United States, before any officer of the rank of Petty Officer or higher, and, if such person is engaged in any other armed service of the United States, before any officer of a rank corresponding to those mentioned above; and such deeds, powers of attorneys, and other instruments so acknowledged shall be accepted and recorded in this state in the same manner as if taken before any officer now authorized by the laws of this state to take such acknowledgments. Provided further, that if the acknowledgment of any person herein be of such a nature as to require a joint or separate acknowledgment of his or her spouse, the officers designated herein shall have power to take the acknowledgment of such spouse, and instruments upon which such acknowledgments appear shall be entitled to recording under the laws of this state. No authentication of an officer's certificate of acknowledgment shall be required, but the officer taking the acknowledgment or subscription shall sign his name and set forth his rank or title and branch of service, and such statement by said officer as to his rank, title and branch of service, and his home address, shall be prima facie evidence thereof. Nothing herein shall be construed as preventing any person named herein from acknowledging instruments before a notary public or other officer of this or any other state or foreign country whose acknowledgments are recognized for the purpose of recording under the laws of this state.

Laws 1944, Ex. Sess., p. 22, § 2, emerg. eff. April 24, 1944.