What is the Difference Between an Acknowledgment and a Jurat?
By Jocelyn T.
Published on 01/29/2021
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Jurat involves swearing or affirming document truthfulness, signer appears before notary public, spoken oath/affirmation
- Acknowledgment: verified identity, signer may sign before or in notary public's presence, declare signing for intended purposes
- NotaryLive offers quick and convenient remote online notarizations (RON meaning) for both acknowledgment and jurat types
Both an acknowledgment and a jurat are two of the most common types of notarization, and while similar in nature, there are specific rules to follow to make sure both are notarized correctly.
Also, you have the option of a better process where you can still receive the notary seal/notary stamp. No more searching for "notary near me" when trying to find a notary. Now you can access online notary services.
What is a Jurat?
The purpose of a jurat, or “verification upon oath or affirmation” is for a signer to swear or affirm to the notary public that the contents of a document are truthful.
Contrary to an acknowledgment, a jurat requires the following steps:
1.The signer must appear before the notary, and provide a wet signature on the document in the presence of the notary.
2.Some states require the notary to positively identify the signer with credential analysis.
3.The notary must administer a spoken oath or affirmation with the signer responding out loud. Silent answers, such as a head nod or thumbs up are not acceptable.
What is an Acknowledgment?
The purpose of an acknowledgment is for a signer, whose identity has been verified, to declare to a notary that he or she has willingly signed a document. Contrary to a jurat, an acknowledgment requires the following:
1.The signer must appear before the notary with the legal document.
2.The notary must verify the signer's identity.
3.The signer may either sign the document before appearing before the notary, or in their presence.
4.The signer must declare or acknowledge signing the document for its intended purposes.
5.Then, the notary public will finally sign and notarize with their official notary stamp/notary seal.
NotaryLive makes the process of getting an acknowledgment or a jurat much simpler with remote online notarizations, which can be done in less than 15 minutes!
How does NotaryLive help notarize documents online?
No more searching “notaries near me”. NotaryLive, a remote notary software, has got you covered, allowing you to notarize online.
- Prepare & eSign cleanly: eSign with your team.
See our roundup of features for digital document tools you can use right away.
But, where can I get something notarized?
- Notarize documents online.
Our Business Account & Premier overview explains multi-user access, storage, and controls for compliance teams.
- Work from anywhere & notarize online.
Our Multi-Location capability makes remote sessions simple for distributed teams.
- Keep a 10-year trail. Store packets that have a digital notary seal/notary stamp for 10 years and reuse templates.
- Embed with issuers & platforms. Integrate NotaryLive so you can verify identity, eSign and notarize with a remote online notary in one flow.
Here’s how our remote notary software works in 4 simple steps:
- Upload Your Document
- Verify Your Identity with our advanced credential analysis
- Connect with a remote notary
- Download your notarized document online
Start the notarization process now at NotaryLive.com.
Do you have more legal questions about Notarizing Documents Online? Here are some other helpful articles:
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About NotaryLive
NotaryLive is a leading provider of digital notarization and eSign solutions, dedicated to enhancing business efficiency through a secure, user-friendly platform that prioritizes understanding and meeting customer needs. By offering innovative tools for electronic signatures and online notarization, NotaryLive empowers professionals to manage documents and notarize documents online, anywhere, any time.
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Updated Date: 09/18/2025
