Key Takeaways
- A jurat requires the signer to take an oath or affirmation vouching for the truthfulness of the document
- The notary must WITNESS the signature being made (unlike an acknowledgment)
- The required oath wording is: "Do you swear or affirm under penalty of perjury that the statements in your document are true?"
- Jurats are commonly used for affidavits, sworn statements, and depositions
- Maximum fee for a jurat is $10 per signature
Jurats (Verifications)
A jurat is a notarial act that requires both witnessing a signature and administering an oath or affirmation. It is sometimes called a "verification" or "verification upon oath."
Definition (Utah Code 46-1-2)
"Jurat" means a notarial act in which a notary certifies that a signer, whose identity is personally known to the notary or proven on the basis of satisfactory evidence, has made, in the notary's presence, a voluntary signature and taken an oath or affirmation vouching for the truthfulness of the signed document.
Key Characteristics
| Element | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Identity Verification | Required (personal knowledge or ID) |
| Signer's Presence | Must appear before the notary |
| When Signed | Must sign IN THE NOTARY'S PRESENCE |
| Oath Required | YES - required before signing |
| Truthfulness | Signer vouches for document contents being true |
The Jurat Process
- Signer appears before the notary with unsigned document
- Notary identifies the signer using personal knowledge or satisfactory evidence of identity
- Notary administers oath or affirmation to the signer
- Signer signs the document in the notary's presence
- Notary completes the jurat certificate
- Notary affixes official seal and signature
Required Oath Wording (Utah Code 46-1-6.5)
Utah law specifies the oath or affirmation the notary must administer:
"Do you swear or affirm under penalty of perjury that the statements in your document are true?"
The signer must respond affirmatively before signing.
When to Use a Jurat
Jurats are appropriate when the signer needs to swear to the truthfulness of the document contents:
- Affidavits
- Sworn statements
- Depositions
- Financial statements under oath
- Immigration applications
- Court filings requiring verification
Sample Jurat Certificate
State of Utah
County of _______________
Subscribed and sworn to (or affirmed) before me on this ___ day of __________,
20___, by ______________________, proved to me on the basis of satisfactory
evidence of identification, which was ________________, to be the above-named
person.
____________________________
Notary Public
My commission expires: ________
Key Differences: Jurat vs. Acknowledgment
| Feature | Jurat | Acknowledgment |
|---|---|---|
| Signing | Must be witnessed by notary | May be pre-signed |
| Oath | Required | Not required |
| Purpose | Vouch for truthfulness of content | Confirm voluntary signature |
| Common Use | Affidavits, sworn statements | Deeds, contracts |
On the Exam
- Signature witnessed: Notary must see the signing occur
- Oath required: "Do you swear or affirm under penalty of perjury..."
- Truthfulness: Signer vouches for document content
- Key difference: Jurat = witnessed signing + oath; Acknowledgment = pre-signing allowed, no oath
What is the key difference between a jurat and an acknowledgment?
According to Utah Code, what oath must a notary administer for a jurat?
A signer appears with a pre-signed affidavit that requires a jurat. What should the notary do?