When you get a document notarized, the notary performs one of two common notarial acts: a jurat or an acknowledgment. They serve different purposes and follow different procedures. Understanding the difference matters because using the wrong one can invalidate your document.
What is a Jurat?
A jurat (sometimes called a "verification on oath or affirmation") is a notarial act where:
- The signer must appear before the notary and sign the document in their presence
- The notary administers an oath or affirmation: "Do you swear or affirm that the statements in this document are true and correct?"
- The signer verbally responds "I do" before signing
- The notary verifies the signer's identity via photo ID
- The notary completes the jurat certificate, which typically reads: "Subscribed and sworn to (or affirmed) before me this [date] by [name]"
Key point: a jurat certifies that the content of the document is truthful. The signer is swearing under oath that the statements are true.
What is an Acknowledgment?
An acknowledgment is a notarial act where:
- The signer appears before the notary and acknowledges that they signed the document (or are about to sign it)
- The signer does NOT need to sign in the notary's physical presence (in many states, they can sign beforehand and then acknowledge the signature)
- No oath is administered
- The notary verifies identity via photo ID
- The notary completes the acknowledgment certificate, which typically reads: "On [date], before me personally appeared [name], known to me (or proved to me) to be the person who executed this instrument and acknowledged to me that they executed the same"
Key point: an acknowledgment certifies that the signature is genuine and voluntary, not that the contents are truthful.
Key Differences
| Jurat | Acknowledgment | |
|---|---|---|
| Oath required? | Yes | No |
| Must sign in notary's presence? | Yes | Not always (varies by state) |
| What it certifies | Contents are true | Signature is genuine and voluntary |
| Common wording | "Subscribed and sworn to before me" | "Acknowledged before me" |
| Common uses | Affidavits, sworn statements, depositions | Deeds, contracts, power of attorney |
When is a Jurat Used?
Jurats are required whenever the truthfulness of a document's content matters:
- Affidavits of all types (identity, heirship, support, residence)
- Sworn statements for court proceedings
- Depositions and interrogatories
- Financial disclosures under oath
- Immigration documents such as affidavits of support
- Any document where truthfulness of content matters
For more on affidavits specifically, see our notarized affidavit guide.
When is an Acknowledgment Used?
Acknowledgments are used when the focus is on verifying who signed the document:
- Real estate deeds and mortgages
- Contracts and agreements
- Power of attorney documents
- Trust documents
- Corporate resolutions
Learn more about notarizing a power of attorney or see our full documents that need notarization guide.
How to Know Which One Your Document Needs
Look at the notary block at the bottom of your document. This is the blank section where the notary will complete their certificate.
- If it says "subscribed and sworn" or "under oath" = jurat
- If it says "acknowledged before me" = acknowledgment
- If there is no notary block, ask whoever is requesting the document which notarial act they require
If you are creating your own document (like a personal affidavit), use a jurat if you are swearing to facts, and an acknowledgment if you are just confirming your signature on an agreement or instrument.
Other Notarial Acts
Jurats and acknowledgments are the two most common notarial acts, but notaries can also perform:
- Copy certification - the notary certifies that a copy is a true and accurate copy of an original document
- Signature witnessing - the notary witnesses the signing but does not administer an oath or take an acknowledgment
- Oath/affirmation - a standalone sworn statement without an accompanying document
For related guides, see our notarized affidavit guide, power of attorney notarization guide, and complete documents guide. To find a notary near you, use our notary finder guide.