Acknowledgment or Jurat: Which One Should You Use?

As a notary public, we verify your identity with a form called either an acknowledgment or a jurat.  Each has a few things in common:

Notice:  In California, we have a boxed disclaimer across the top that is required for documents filed in state.

Venue tells us where we are; as in, State of California, County of Santa Barbara.

Statement of Particulars: this is the statement that the acknowledgment or jurat contains.  It is either a statement that you proved to me that you are who you say you are, or that you swear that you are who you say you are.

The Penalty of Perjury clause says that the notary certifies your identity.

The Testimonium says that the notary witnessed and will put their stamp on the acknowledgment.

There is then a signature line and a space for a stamp.

What do you do if an acknowledgment or jurat isn’t included in your document? We aren’t allowed to practice law which could easily be construed as telling you which ones to use. The important thing to do here is to go back to whatever agency, attorney or organization which provided you the paperwork and get direction from them. We carry both types of notarial certificates with us at all times and can attach them to your document – it’s just that you need to tell us which one to use.