Acknowledgement or Jurat?

Acknowledgement and jurat certificates are the most common forms used when notarizing a document. Many people wonder which one they should use when getting their documents notarized. Most of the time, the document will specify which certificate needs to be used. If there is no specification, hopefully this blog post will help you decipher between the two. The safest bet is to contact the originator of the document and find out which certificate is acceptable. However, if you are unsure, you can always contact us for more information so we can better explain your options. It is important to figure out which form is required for each specific document, but it is critical to note that California notaries are NOT allowed to determine which certificate should be used.

An acknowledgment is used to identify the signer of the document. This form is used to confirm that the person did indeed sign the document and appear in front of the notary. In some instances, the document may be pre-signed. Check out my previous blog for more information on this.

A jurat is used when the person signing is swearing or affirming the contents of the document they are signing. A notary agent will administer an oath to the person signing, and the signer must swear to the statements by giving an oral affirmation.