Notarial Certificates
Commonly Used Notarial Certificates
Notarial certificates are essential documents that a notary public attaches to a legal document to certify the notarial act performed. These certificates vary depending on the type of notarial act and the jurisdiction. Below is an overview of the most commonly used notarial certificates and their purposes.
1. Acknowledgment Certificate
Purpose: An acknowledgment certificate verifies that the signer of the document personally appeared before the notary, was identified by the notary, and acknowledged that they willingly signed the document.
Common Use: Acknowledgments are often used for real estate transactions, deeds, mortgages, and powers of attorney.
Key Elements:
- The venue (state and county where the notarization took place)
- The notary's statement that the signer personally appeared and was identified
- The notary's seal and signature
- The date of the notarization
Example:
State of __________
County of __________
On this _____ day of __________, 20____, before me, (notary's Name), personally appeared (Signers Name), known to me (or proved to me on the basis of satisfactory evidence) to be the person whose name is subscribed to the within instrument and acknowledged to me that they executed the same in their authorized capacity, and that by their signature on the instrument, the person executed the instrument.
(notary's Signature)
(notary's Seal)
2. Jurat Certificate
Purpose: A jurat certificate affirms that the signer personally appeared before the notary, was identified, and swore or affirmed that the contents of the document are true.
Common Use: Jurats are typically used for affidavits, depositions, and other sworn statements.
Key Elements:
- The venue (state and county where the notarization took place)
- The notary's statement that the signer personally appeared, was identified, and took an oath or affirmation
- The notary's seal and signature
- The date of the notarization
Example:
State of __________
County of __________
Subscribed and sworn to (or affirmed) before me on this _____ day of __________, 20____, by (Signers Name), who is personally known to me (or proved to me on the basis of satisfactory evidence).
(notary's Signature)
(notary's Seal)
3. Copy Certification Certificate
Purpose: A copy certification certificate attests that a copy of an original document is a true and correct reproduction of the original.
Common Use: Copy certifications are used for documents where the original cannot be released, such as diplomas, transcripts, or certain legal documents.
Key Elements:
- The venue (state and county where the notarization took place)
- The notary's statement certifying that the copy is a true reproduction of the original
- The notary's seal and signature
- The date of the notarization
Example:
State of __________
County of __________
I, (notary's Name), a Notary Public in and for said state, do hereby certify that the attached document is a true, correct, and complete copy of (description of the original document), in the possession of (Name of Document Holder), and that the original document was presented to me on this _____ day of __________, 20____.
(notary's Signature)
(notary's Seal)
4. Signature Witnessing Certificate
Purpose: A signature witnessing certificate confirms that the notary witnessed the signer signing the document.
Common Use: This type of certificate is less common but may be used for documents where witnessing the actual signing is specifically required.
Key Elements:
- The venue (state and county where the notarization took place)
- The notary’s statement that the signer personally appeared and signed the document in their presence
- The notary's seal and signature
- The date of the notarization
Example:
State of __________
County of __________
On this _____ day of __________, 20____, before me, (notary's Name), personally appeared (Signers Name), who is personally known to me (or proved to me on the basis of satisfactory evidence) and who signed the document in my presence.
(notary's Signature)
(notary's Seal)
Understanding the different types of notarial certificates and their purposes is crucial for ensuring that your documents are properly notarized. Each certificate serves a specific function and requires particular elements to be valid. When in doubt, consult with a qualified notary to ensure that the appropriate certificate is used for your notarization needs.