Notarizing Jurats

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What's the difference between a notary acknowledgment stamp and a jurat? Many people don't know the answer to this question, so here's a quick breakdown of each. A notary acknowledgment stamp is used to verify the signature on a document, while a jurat is used to swear that the information in a document is true.

You will need to bring a valid government-issued ID, the document to be notarized, and any other necessary paperwork or forms.

Jurats are most commonly found in legal documents such as contracts, affidavits, and other sworn statements. They can also be found on birth certificates, marriage licenses, and other official documents.

The purpose of a jurat, or “verification upon oath or affirmation” is for a signer to swear or affirm to the notary public that the contents of a document are truthful.

Acknowledgement and jurat certificates are the two most common notarial acts, yet, for many signers, there is confusion about the difference between these forms. Some notaries even find it difficult to remember which procedures apply to which certificate.

No, jurats can only be completed for the person appearing before the notary.

Yes, a notary can refuse to perform a jurat if they suspect fraud or if the signer lacks proper identification.

A notary public is an official authorized to perform various acts, including jurats. A jurat itself is the certification that the signer swore to the truthfulness of a document.

Jurats are commonly required for documents where the signer is making a sworn statement, such as affidavits, depositions, and some legal documents.

The notary will verify the signer's identity, administer an oath or affirmation, witness the signing of the document, and then complete the jurat certificate with their seal and signature.