Common Needs for a Notary Signature

Although notaries are not allowed to choose the type of notary signature for a signer, they need to know the difference between common notarial acts in order to perform their duties properly.

Acknowledgments

Acknowledgments are often needed for documents regarding valuable assets, such as deeds, mortgages, and deeds of trust. For an acknowledgment, the signer must appear before the notary at the time of notarization to be positively identified and declare — or "acknowledge" — that the signature on the document is his or her own and that the document was signed willingly.

Jurats

A jurat is for a notary signature to attest that the signer swears or affirms that a document's contents are true. Depending on the jurisdiction, it may also be known as an affidavit or a verification on oath or affirmation.

Oaths/Affirmations

In some cases, rather than as part of a jurat, affidavit, or other written document, a client may need you to administer an oral oath or affirmation. The purpose of administering a verbal oath or affirmation is to compel a client to truthfulness.

Copy Certification

A notary signature on a copy certification verifies that a reproduction of an original document is a full and accurate transcription or reproduction of the original. Documents that may require copy certification include diplomas, contracts, driver’s licenses, leases, Social Security cards, vehicle titles, medical records, and bills of sale.