Understanding Acknowledgment & Jurat Certificates — A Simple Guide for New Notaries
Starting out as a notary can feel overwhelming — trust me, I’ve been there! One of the trickiest parts when I first began was understanding the difference between Acknowledgment and Jurat certificates, and knowing when to use loose-leaf certificates. If you’ve ever wondered what these are or how to explain them without sounding like you’re giving legal advice, this post is for you.
What is an Acknowledgment?
An Acknowledgment is a certificate attached to or included in a document where the signer confirms their identity and acknowledges that they signed the document willingly.
You’ll often see the acknowledgment wording already printed on the document itself — this is common in real estate forms, contracts, and other official paperwork.
The key part is that the signer personally appeared before you, you verified their identity, and they acknowledged that they signed voluntarily.
Tip: When the document already has acknowledgment wording printed or stamped on it, you don’t need to add another loose-leaf certificate. The pre-printed wording serves as your notarial certificate.
What is a Jurat?
A Jurat is different. It is used when the signer swears or affirms the truthfulness of the statements in the document under oath.
The signer must sign the document in your presence (or have signed it before you but not left the room).
You will then administer an oath or affirmation before completing the jurat certificate.
This is common for affidavits and sworn statements.
When to Use a Loose-Leaf Certificate
Sometimes, the document does not include any notarial certificate wording at all. In those cases, you can use a loose-leaf certificate, which is a separate piece of paper attached to the document where you add your notarial wording.
Use loose-leaf certificates only when there is no acknowledgment or jurat wording already printed on the document.
Make sure to securely attach the loose-leaf certificate to the document, so they are permanently linked.
Important: Don’t Give Legal Advice
As a notary, it’s important to never tell the signer which certificate to use or complete any wording on their behalf beyond what is required on the certificate. Your role is to verify identity, witness signatures, and administer oaths, not to interpret or advise on the legal effect of the documents.
Final Thoughts
Understanding the difference between acknowledgment and jurat certificates—and when to use loose-leaf certificates—will make your notary work smoother and more professional. Remember, if the acknowledgment wording is already printed on the document, that’s usually the certificate you will use. If it’s missing, then a loose-leaf certificate might be necessary.
Don’t worry if this seems confusing at first — it gets easier with experience, and you’re not alone on this journey!
