A jurat is a notary's certification that a signer swore or affirmed the truth of a document in front of them
A jurat is a short statement a notary adds to a document after watching you sign it and hearing you swear or affirm that what you've written is true. The notary does not verify whether your statement is actually true — they only confirm that you made the oath in front of them, that you signed the document, and that you understood what you were swearing to.
The jurat itself is a few lines of legal language, usually at the bottom of the page. It includes the notary's signature, seal, and the date. The notary also records details like your name, how you proved your identity, and whether you swore an oath or gave an affirmation (a non-religious alternative).
Jurats are required by courts, government agencies, and some employers when they need proof that someone made a statement under oath. Common examples include affidavits for court cases, declarations for immigration paperwork, and sworn statements for loan applications or insurance claims.
Key Takeaways
- A jurat certifies that you signed a document and swore or affirmed its contents were true, done in front of a notary.
- The notary verifies your identity but does not investigate whether your statement is actually true.
- Courts, government agencies, and lenders often require jurats on affidavits, declarations, and sworn statements.
- You must appear in person in front of the notary to get a jurat — it cannot be done by mail or remotely in most states.
- A jurat is different from a notary acknowledgment, which certifies only that you signed a document, not that you swore to its truth.
How a jurat works: the steps at the notary's office
When you bring a document to a notary for a jurat, the notary will ask you to prove your identity — usually with a driver's license, passport, or other government-issued ID. The notary records which document you used and checks that it has not expired.
Next, the notary reads the jurat language aloud to you and asks you to swear or affirm that the statements in the document are true. You raise your right hand or place your hand on a Bible if you choose to swear an oath. If you prefer not to swear on religious grounds, you can give an affirmation instead — it carries the same legal weight. The notary then watches you sign the document in front of them.
After you sign, the notary adds the jurat certificate to the page. This includes the notary's printed name, signature, seal (usually an embosser or stamp), commission number, and the expiration date of their commission. The notary also writes the date and location where the jurat took place.
Jurat versus acknowledgment: what's the difference
A notary acknowledgment and a jurat look similar but serve different purposes. An acknowledgment certifies only that you signed a document in front of the notary — the notary does not ask you to swear to its contents. Acknowledgments are common on real estate deeds, powers of attorney, and other documents where the signer's identity matters but the truth of the statements does not.
A jurat goes further. The notary asks you to swear or affirm that the information in the document is true, and the notary certifies that oath. Jurats are required when a court, agency, or lender needs proof that someone made a statement under penalty of perjury.
The document itself usually tells you which one you need. If it says "sworn to and subscribed before me" or "under oath," you need a jurat. If it says "acknowledged before me" or "personally appeared," you need an acknowledgment. If you are unsure, ask the person or organization requesting the document.
When courts and agencies require a jurat
Courts require jurats on affidavits — sworn statements submitted as evidence in civil or criminal cases. An affidavit replaces live testimony when a witness cannot appear in court or when a party needs to submit written evidence. The jurat proves the affiant (the person making the statement) swore to tell the truth.
Immigration agencies, including U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), require jurats on declarations and supporting statements for visa petitions, green card applications, and citizenship cases. A family member or employer may need to submit a sworn statement on your behalf, and the jurat certifies they made that statement under oath.
Lenders and insurance companies sometimes require jurats on loan applications, mortgage affidavits, or claims. Banks may ask for a sworn statement about your income or assets. Insurance companies may require a sworn statement when investigating a claim. In these cases, the jurat proves you made the statement knowingly and under penalty of perjury.
What the notary does and does not verify
A notary's job is limited. They verify your identity by checking your ID, confirm that you signed the document in front of them, and certify that you swore or affirmed the contents. That is all. The notary does not investigate whether what you said is true, does not read the entire document for accuracy, and does not give legal information about whether you should sign.
If you sign a jurat and later the information turns out to be false, the notary is not responsible — you are. Signing a false statement under oath can result in perjury charges, which are criminal. This is why the notary takes the oath seriously and why you should too.
Some notaries will refuse to notarize a document if they suspect fraud or if you seem confused about what you are swearing to. They may ask you questions to confirm you understand the document. This is within their authority and protects both you and them.
Finding a notary and what to bring
Notaries work at banks, law offices, UPS stores, shipping centers, and independent notary offices. Many charge between $5 and $25 per jurat, though fees vary by location and notary. Some banks offer notary services free to account holders.
Bring the unsigned document and a valid, government-issued ID with your photo and signature. The ID must not be expired. If you have changed your name since your ID was issued, bring a second document proving the name change, such as a marriage certificate or court order.
Arrive with the document ready to sign. The notary will not fill in blanks or complete the document for you — that is your responsibility. If the document has multiple pages, make sure all pages are there and in order before you go.
Remote notarization: availability and limits
Some states allow notaries to perform jurats by video conference, though this is less common than in-person notarization. Remote notarization requires special technology to verify your identity and record the session. Not all notaries offer it, and not all states permit it.
Even in states that allow remote jurats, some organizations do not accept them. Courts, government agencies, and lenders may require an in-person jurat or may have specific rules about which remote notaries they will accept. Before arranging a remote jurat, confirm with the person or organization requesting the document that they will accept it.
If you cannot find a notary near you or cannot travel, ask the organization requesting the document whether they have a list of approved remote notaries or whether they will accept a jurat from a notary in another state.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a notary jurat be done by mail or email?
No. You must appear in person in front of the notary to get a jurat in most states. The notary must see you sign the document and hear you swear or affirm the oath. Some states allow remote video notarization, but you still must appear live on camera. Mail-in or email jurats are not valid.
What happens if I sign a jurat and the information is false?
You can be charged with perjury, which is a criminal offense. Perjury penalties vary by state but can include fines and jail time. The notary is not responsible for the truth of your statement — you are. This is why the oath matters and why you should only swear to information you know to be true.
Do I need a jurat or an acknowledgment for my power of attorney?
Most states require an acknowledgment for a power of attorney, not a jurat. An acknowledgment certifies that you signed the document; a jurat would require you to swear the contents are true, which does not explore to a power of attorney. Check your state's requirements or ask the attorney drafting the document.
Can I get a jurat from an online notary service?
Some online notary services offer remote jurats in states that permit them. You will need a computer with a camera and microphone, and you will appear on video in front of the notary. However, not all organizations accept remote jurats, so confirm before you use one. In-person notarization is still the most widely accepted option.
How long is a jurat valid?
A jurat itself does not expire, but the notary's commission does. If the notary's commission has expired, the jurat may not be accepted. Always check that the notary's commission date on the jurat has not passed. Some organizations also have their own rules about how old a jurat can be — ask before you have it notarized.