SS stands for "subscribed and sworn" — the notary's record that you signed the document in front of them and took an oath

SS is shorthand for subscribed and sworn, two separate things a notary documents when you sign a paper in their presence. "Subscribed" means you signed it right there in front of them. "Sworn" means you raised your hand (or placed your hand on a Bible, depending on your state) and promised under penalty of perjury that the contents are true. The notary writes "SS" on the form to show both happened.

You will see SS printed on the notary certificate — the box or paragraph at the end of a legal document where the notary stamps and signs. It looks like this: "State of [your state], County of [your county], SS." The letters sit between the location line and the notary's signature block. They are not an abbreviation for your state or county; they are a legal marker that tells anyone reading the document later that a notary witnessed both your signature and your oath.

Not every notarized document requires both subscription and swearing. Some documents only need you to sign in front of the notary (subscription alone). Others require you to swear an oath but not sign anything (swearing alone). The notary will tell you which one applies to your document, and the certificate will reflect what actually happened.

Key Takeaways

  • SS means the notary watched you sign the document and heard you take an oath that the information is true.
  • The notary writes SS on the certificate to create a legal record that both events occurred in their presence.
  • Some documents require only subscription (your signature), only swearing (an oath), or both — the notary will know which one your document needs.
  • SS appears on nearly all notary certificates for affidavits, powers of attorney, and sworn statements, but not on certificates for straightforward signature witnessing.

Why notaries use SS instead of writing out the full phrase

Notary forms have used SS as shorthand for over a century. It comes from legal tradition in English-speaking countries, where court documents and affidavits always included this marker. Using the abbreviation saves space on the certificate and makes it when ready recognizable to lawyers, judges, and government offices that review notarized papers.

The abbreviation is so standard that most people who work with legal documents expect to see it. If a notary certificate is missing SS or does not clearly show that you subscribed and swore, a court or government agency may question whether the notarization was done correctly. That is why notaries are trained to include it on every applicable document — it is not optional shorthand, it is a required part of the legal record.

When SS appears on your notary form

SS shows up on certificates for documents where you make a statement under oath. Common examples include affidavits (sworn statements of fact), powers of attorney, statutory declarations, and sworn statements for court. If you are signing a straightforward document just to prove your identity — like a photocopy certification or a signature witnessing — the certificate may not include SS, because no oath was taken.

The notary certificate template itself usually has SS printed on it already. You will see it in the opening line: "State of [state], County of [county], SS." The notary does not write it in; it is part of the standard form. What the notary does write is the date, your name, the document title, and their signature and stamp below the SS line.

What happens if SS is missing from your notarized document

If a notary forgot to include SS on a certificate where it should appear, the document is not automatically invalid — but it creates doubt. A bank, court, or government office reviewing the paper may ask questions about whether the notarization was completed correctly. They might reject the document and ask you to have it notarized again.

If you notice SS is missing before you submit the document anywhere, contact the notary and ask them to add it or issue a corrected certificate. Most notaries keep records of what they notarized and can issue a replacement certificate with the correct information. If the notary is no longer available, you may need to have the document notarized again by a different notary.

The difference between subscription, swearing, and acknowledgment

Notaries perform three main types of notarization, and SS only appears on two of them. Subscription and swearing (marked SS) means you signed the document and took an oath. Acknowledgment means you signed the document and told the notary "yes, I signed this" — but you did not take an oath. Acknowledgments do not use SS; instead, the certificate says something like "personally appeared and acknowledged."

The document itself or the person requesting the notarization will tell the notary which type is needed. An affidavit almost always requires subscription and swearing (SS). A deed or power of attorney often requires only acknowledgment. If you are unsure which one you need, ask the notary before you meet with them — they can tell you what the document requires and what to expect.

How to prepare for a notarization that will include SS

If your document will be notarized with SS, bring a valid photo ID (driver's license, passport, or state ID card). The notary will check your ID to confirm you are who you say you are. Bring the unsigned document — do not sign it before you arrive. You will sign it in front of the notary as part of the subscription process.

Arrive with time to read the document carefully. The notary will ask you to swear or affirm that the contents are true. You can choose to swear on a Bible or to affirm (a non-religious promise). Either way, you are making a legal statement under penalty of perjury. If you do not understand what you are swearing to, ask the notary or the person who gave you the document to explain it before you proceed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does SS mean the notary verified the information in the document is true?

No. SS means you swore the information is true, not that the notary checked it. The notary's job is to watch you sign and hear your oath. They do not investigate whether what you are swearing to is actually accurate — that is your responsibility.

Can a notary notarize a document without SS if I ask them to?

No. If the document requires subscription and swearing, SS must appear on the certificate. The notary cannot skip it just because you request it. The type of notarization is determined by the document itself or by the law governing that type of paper, not by what either party prefers.

What if I refuse to take the oath when the notary asks me to?

The notary cannot complete the notarization. If a document requires swearing and you will not take an oath, the notary must stop and explain that they cannot proceed. You would need to either take the oath or find a different type of notarization that does not require one (if the document allows it).

Is SS the same in every state?

Yes. SS appears on notary certificates in all 50 states and is recognized the same way everywhere. The notary laws vary slightly by state, but the use of SS as a marker for subscription and swearing is standard across the country.

Can I notarize a document online if it includes SS?

Some states allow remote notarization for certain documents, but the rules vary. If your state permits it, the notary will use video conferencing to watch you sign and hear your oath, and SS will still appear on the certificate. Check with your state's notary board or ask the notary whether remote notarization is an option for your specific document.