A jurat is a notarial act in which you swear or affirm, under oath, that the contents of your document are true, and then sign the document in the notary’s presence. The word comes from the Latin for “to swear.” Unlike an acknowledgment, which only confirms your identity and willing signature, a jurat puts you on the record under oath, which means a false statement can expose you to perjury charges.
When a Document Calls for a Jurat
Affidavits and depositions are the most common jurat documents. Any time a form asks you to attest “under penalty of perjury” that what you’ve written is true, you’re in jurat territory. Sworn financial statements, certain court filings, and government applications where accuracy carries legal weight all typically require a jurat.
The document itself usually tells you. Look at the notarial certificate printed at the bottom or on the last page. Language like “subscribed and sworn to before me” or “signed and sworn (or affirmed) before me” signals a jurat. Language like “acknowledged before me” signals an acknowledgment instead.
When a document arrives without pre-printed certificate language, the type of document usually dictates the choice. Sworn statements need a jurat. Property deeds, contracts, powers of attorney, and estate planning documents almost always need an acknowledgment. If you’re unsure, ask the person or agency that’s requesting the document. In most states, the notary cannot make this choice for you.
Picking wrong is more than a paperwork annoyance. A document notarized with the wrong act can be rejected by a court, a government agency, or a county recorder, and you’ll have to redo the notarization from scratch.
How a Jurat Appointment Works
You appear in person before the notary and present valid government-issued photo ID, such as a driver’s license or passport. The notary will also check the document for completeness. Blank spaces in the main body are a problem, because notaries in most states must refuse to notarize an incomplete document. Fill in every field before you arrive. Spaces marked “For Office Use Only” are the exception.
Once your identity is verified, the notary administers an oath or affirmation. You’ll hear something along the lines of “Do you swear or affirm that the statements in this document are true?” You answer out loud, usually “I do.” Then you sign the document while the notary watches. You cannot sign ahead of time for a jurat; signing in the notary’s presence is part of what the notary is certifying.
After the signing, the notary completes the jurat certificate, applies an official seal, and in many states records the transaction in a notary journal.
What the Jurat Certificate Says
The notarial certificate is the formal statement the notary fills in after the act. A jurat certificate typically reads: “Signed and sworn to (or affirmed) before me on [date] by [name of signer].” That wording confirms two things happened: an oath was administered, and you signed in front of the notary.
The certificate also includes the venue (the state and county where the notarization took place), the date, and the notary’s signature and seal. Most states require the seal to display the notary’s name, commission expiration date, and the words “Notary Public.”
Jurat vs. Acknowledgment at a Glance
An acknowledgment is the other common notarial act, and the distinction turns on what the notary is certifying and what you’re required to do.
- Oath: A jurat requires one. An acknowledgment does not involve any oath about the document’s contents.
- What the notary certifies: A jurat certifies that you swore to the truth of the document and signed it in person. An acknowledgment certifies your identity and that you signed voluntarily.
- When you sign: A jurat requires signing in the notary’s presence. An acknowledgment lets you sign beforehand and simply confirm the signature later.
- Focus: A jurat is about the truth of the content. An acknowledgment is about the authenticity of the signature.
- Typical documents: Jurats go with affidavits and sworn statements. Acknowledgments go with deeds, mortgages, powers of attorney, and estate planning documents.
The Perjury Stakes
The oath in a jurat is not ceremonial. It creates a legal obligation. If you swear a document is truthful and it contains statements you know to be false, you can be charged with perjury. Under federal law, perjury is punishable by a fine, up to five years in prison, or both.1Office of the Law Revision Counsel. 18 U.S. Code 1621 – Perjury Generally State perjury penalties vary but are similarly serious, with most states treating it as a felony.
That exposure is the whole reason jurats exist. The oath is designed to compel honesty on documents where the truth of the content has legal consequences. An acknowledgment carries no such oath, so the perjury mechanism doesn’t attach to the notarization itself.
Remote Jurats
A jurat doesn’t always require being in the same room as the notary. As of early 2025, 45 states and the District of Columbia have enacted permanent laws authorizing remote online notarization, and jurats can be performed through those platforms.
During a remote session, you connect with the notary by live video call. Identity is verified through multi-factor checks: a government-issued photo ID presented on camera, credential analysis, and knowledge-based authentication questions drawn from your personal records. The oath is administered verbally during the video call, exactly as it would be in person, and you sign while the notary watches. The session is usually recorded.
Mistakes That Get a Jurat Rejected
Showing up without acceptable ID is the most common problem. The notary cannot proceed without verifying who you are, so bring a current government-issued photo ID.
Signing the document before you arrive is a jurat-specific mistake. Because a jurat requires signing in the notary’s presence, a pre-signed document means the notary will ask you to sign again (or decline the act). If the document is a type that can’t be re-signed cleanly, you may need a fresh copy.
Conflicts of interest also disqualify a notary. A notary cannot notarize a document in which they have a personal financial interest, and they can never notarize their own signature. Rules on notarizing for family members vary by state; some ban it for spouses and close relatives, others permit it absent a financial conflict. When in doubt, find a different notary.
Finally, catch clerical errors on the certificate before you leave. If a notary discovers a mistake after you’ve gone, they generally can’t fix it on their own. You’d have to appear again in person for a new notarization, and the whole process starts over.