Information and Resources
Listed below are various types of notarial acts and certificates for your reference only
Individual Acknowledgements
As per the National Notary Association, The purpose of an acknowledgment is to ensure that the signer of a document is who they claim to be and has voluntarily signed the document. Acknowledgments often are needed for documents concerning valuable assets, such as deeds, mortgages and deeds of trust.
To perform an acknowledgment, the signer must personally appear before the notary at the time of notarization to be positively identified and to declare — or "acknowledge" — that the signature on the document is their own and that they signed willingly.
If the signer has previously signed the document, the signer must declare— or "acknowledge" — that the signature is indeed theirs and the signature must match the provided identification.
Verification Upon Oath or Affirmation (Jurat)
As per the National Notary Association, the purpose of a jurat is for a signer to swear or affirm that the contents of a document are true. In Washington, it is also known as an affidavit or a verification on oath or affirmation.
For a jurat, the signer must personally appear before the notary and sign the document in the notary's presence. The notary must then administer an oath or affirmation and have the signer speak aloud his or her promise that the statements in the document are true. The choice between an oath or affirmation should be made by the signer.
Administering the oath or affirmation is a vital part of a notary performing a jurat or verification because the signer is affirming that the contents of the document are true, and that he or she may be prosecuted for perjury if the contents are not true.
Oaths and Affirmations
As per the National Notary Association, an oath or affirmation, in some cases can just be given orally, rather than as part of a jurat, affidavit or other written document. The purpose of administering a verbal oath or affirmation is, to compel a client to truthfulness.
An oath is a solemn pledge to a Supreme Being. An affirmation is a solemn pledge on the individual's personal honor. Again, the choice should be made by the signer.
Copy Certification
As per the National Notary Association, a copy certification confirms that a reproduction of an original document is a full, true, and accurate transcription or reproduction of the original. Documents requiring copy certification may include: diplomas, driver’s licenses, leases, contracts, vehicle titles, Social Security cards, medical records and bills of sale.
To perform a copy certification, the person in possession of an original document (known also as the "document custodian") takes the original document to a Notary. The Notary typically will make a photocopy of the document and complete a certificate for the copy certification to confirm that the photocopy is a true, accurate and complete copy of the original.
Signature Witnessing
In the act of Signature witnessing. The notary certifies that the individual appearing before them is who he or she claims to be, and the signature on the record is the signature of the individual before you.
The main difference between a signature witnessing and an acknowledgment is that the notary witnesses the document being signed. The main difference between a signature witnessing and a jurat, affidavit, or verification upon oath or affirmation is that, with a signature witnessing, the notary does not administer an oath.
Witnessing or Attesting to an Event or Act
Washington notaries have the authority to certify that an act or event has been performed. This certificate must be used in conjunction with an attached document in which the act or event is described.
Did you know, we also have a frequently asked questions page that may answer some of your questions such as What are your rates? What is the role of the notary? Why does the signer have to be present? What type of ID is acceptable? Just click the button below.