By Jamie Ortiz
Skip the search. Get eligible documents notarized online via secure video call when remote notarization fits your document.
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.
A jurat (sometimes called a "verification on oath or affirmation") is a notarial act where:
Key point: a jurat certifies that the content of the document is truthful. The signer is swearing under oath that the statements are true.
An acknowledgment is a notarial act where:
Key point: an acknowledgment certifies that the signature is genuine and voluntary, not that the contents are truthful.
| 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 |
Jurats are required whenever the truthfulness of a document's content matters:
For more on affidavits specifically, see our notarized affidavit guide.
Acknowledgments are used when the focus is on verifying who signed the document:
Learn more about notarizing a power of attorney or see our full documents that need notarization guide.
Look at the notary block at the bottom of your document. This is the blank section where the notary will complete their certificate.
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.
Jurats and acknowledgments are the two most common notarial acts, but notaries can also perform:
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.