A jurat notary witnesses your signature and confirms you swear the document is true
A jurat is a notary act where the notary watches you sign a document, confirms your identity, and has you swear or affirm under oath that what you've written is truthful. The notary then adds their own signature, seal, and the date. The key difference from a regular notarization is the oath — you're not just signing in front of a witness, you're making a legal statement that the contents are accurate.
Courts, government agencies, and some private organizations require jurats for documents where truthfulness matters legally. Affidavits, depositions, and court filings often need them. A jurat creates an official record that you made this statement under penalty of perjury, which carries real legal consequences if you lie.
The notary does not read your document, does not verify the facts inside it, and does not judge whether you should sign. They confirm only that you are who you say you are, that you signed it willingly, and that you swore it was true.
Key Takeaways
- A jurat requires you to swear or affirm under oath that your document is truthful, unlike a standard notarization which only confirms your identity and signature.
- Courts and government agencies commonly require jurats for affidavits, depositions, court motions, and official statements.
- The notary witnesses your signature and administers the oath but does not verify the facts in your document or advise you on its contents.
- Perjury — lying under oath on a jurat — is a criminal offense, which is why courts treat jurats as stronger proof than unsigned statements.
When courts and agencies require a jurat instead of a regular notary
Any document that will be filed in court or submitted to a government body as sworn testimony usually needs a jurat. Affidavits — written statements you swear are true — almost always require one. Depositions, which are recorded testimony given outside court, need a jurat. Court motions, declarations under penalty of perjury, and official complaints often do too.
Private parties sometimes request jurats as well. A business might ask for a jurat on a statement about a contract dispute. An insurance company might require one on a claim form. A property manager might need one on a statement about lease violations. In each case, the jurat signals that the statement carries legal weight and that lying has consequences.
The specific requirement depends on the court, agency, or organization asking for the document. If you're unsure whether you need a jurat or a standard notarization, ask whoever is requesting the document — they will tell you which one they need.
The difference between a jurat and a standard notarization
In a standard notarization, the notary confirms your identity and watches you sign. That's it. The notary is a neutral witness to your signature. No oath is involved, and the document doesn't have to be true — you could notarize a letter saying the sky is green, and the notary's job is only to confirm that you signed it.
With a jurat, you add an oath. You raise your hand or place your hand on a Bible (depending on your preference), and you swear or affirm that everything in the document is true. The notary administers this oath, just as a court clerk would. If you later lie about something in that document, you can be charged with perjury.
This is why jurats carry more legal weight. A notarized document proves you signed it. A jurat proves you signed it and claimed under oath that it was truthful. Courts treat the second as stronger evidence in disputes.
What happens during a jurat appointment
You bring the unsigned document to the notary. The notary asks for identification and confirms your name matches the document. You tell the notary you need a jurat, not a standard notarization.
The notary asks you to raise your right hand and swears you in. The exact wording varies by state, but it's something like: "Do you swear or affirm that the statements in this document are true and correct to the best of your knowledge?" You answer yes. Some notaries ask you to place your hand on a Bible; others don't. Both are legal.
You then sign the document in front of the notary. The notary signs it too, adds their seal, writes the date, and notes that a jurat was performed. The notary may also write the type of oath given and your method of identification. This creates an official record of what happened.
The whole process takes five to ten minutes. You need a valid ID, and you need the document ready to sign. Some notaries will not perform a jurat if you haven't read the document yet, because you're swearing it's true — they want to be confident you actually know what you're signing.
Where to find a notary who performs jurats
Most notaries are trained to perform jurats, but not all advertise it. Call ahead and ask. Banks often have notaries on staff who can do jurats during business hours. Law offices have them. UPS stores, FedEx locations, and some pharmacies offer notary services, though availability varies by location.
Online notary services exist in many states, but they typically cannot perform jurats because the notary needs to see you sign in real time and administer an oath. Some states have begun allowing remote jurats using video, but this is not yet standard. For a jurat, plan to visit in person.
Search "notary public near me" online, call your local courthouse to ask for referrals, or contact your state's notary licensing board for a list of notaries in your area. Fees vary — notaries typically charge between five and twenty dollars per jurat, though some charge more for rush service or travel.
What the notary will not do
The notary will not read your document or tell you whether it's accurate. They will not advise you on whether you should sign it. They will not explain legal language or help you fill it out. If you need help understanding what you're signing, talk to a lawyer before you go to the notary.
The notary will not verify the facts in your document. If you swear that you own a car and you don't, the notary has no way to know. That's why perjury is a crime — you're the one making the false statement under oath, not the notary.
The notary will also not notarize a document if they believe you're being coerced, if you appear unable to understand what you're signing, or if you seem intoxicated or mentally impaired. They can refuse service if they have reason to think the jurat would be fraudulent.
Perjury and the legal weight of a jurat
When you swear a jurat, you are making a statement under penalty of perjury. If you lie in that document and someone discovers the lie, you can be charged with perjury, which is a crime. Penalties vary by state and by the severity of the lie, but perjury convictions can result in fines and jail time.
This is why courts require jurats for important statements. The oath creates a legal consequence for dishonesty. A person is more likely to tell the truth when they know lying is a crime than when they're straightforward signing a document.
You should never swear a jurat unless you are certain the document is truthful and you understand what you're swearing to. If you're unsure about any part of it, ask questions before you go to the notary, or talk to a lawyer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a jurat notarized online or by mail?
Most states do not allow remote jurats because the notary must see you sign and administer an oath in real time. A few states have begun allowing video jurats, but this is not yet standard. For a jurat, you will need to visit a notary in person. Check your state's notary board website to see if remote jurats are available in your area.
What's the difference between a jurat and an acknowledgment?
An acknowledgment is a notary act where you confirm you signed a document, but no oath is involved. A jurat requires you to swear the document is truthful. Courts require jurats for affidavits and sworn statements. Acknowledgments are common for real estate deeds and powers of attorney. Ask whoever requested the document which one they need.
Do I have to swear on a Bible for a jurat?
No. You can swear on a Bible, affirm without a Bible, or use any method that feels right to you. The notary will ask how you prefer to take the oath. What matters legally is that you swear or affirm the statement is true, not the method you use.
What happens if I lie on a jurat?
Lying on a jurat is perjury, which is a crime. If someone discovers you lied, you can be charged, tried, and convicted. Penalties include fines and jail time. This is why courts require jurats for important statements — the legal consequence for dishonesty makes the statement more trustworthy.
Can a notary refuse to perform a jurat?
Yes. A notary can refuse if they believe you're being coerced, if you appear unable to understand the document, if you seem impaired, or if they suspect fraud. A notary can also refuse if they have a personal interest in the document or a conflict of interest. If one notary refuses, you can ask another.