A California jurat and acknowledgment are different notarial acts. A jurat requires the signer to appear, take an oath or affirmation, and sign in the notary’s presence. For an acknowledgment, the signer appears and acknowledges executing the document; the signature may have been made earlier. In both cases the notary follows California identification and certificate rules. Neither act certifies that the document’s contents are true or legally valid.
What is a jurat?
For a jurat, the notary identifies the signer by satisfactory evidence, administers an oath or affirmation, observes the signer sign, and completes the California jurat certificate and journal entry. The signer—not the notary—swears or affirms the statement. A document already signed elsewhere cannot simply be mailed to a California notary for a jurat. See the California Secretary of State’s jurat guidance and Notary Public Handbook.
What is an acknowledgment?
For an acknowledgment, the signer personally appears, is identified by satisfactory evidence and acknowledges executing the document in the stated capacity. The document may have been signed before the appointment. The notary completes the required California acknowledgment certificate and journal entry. California’s certificate expressly says the notary verifies identity, not the truthfulness, accuracy or validity of the document. See the Secretary of State’s acknowledgment guidance.
Jurat vs. acknowledgment at a glance
| Question | Jurat | Acknowledgment |
|---|---|---|
| Must the signer personally appear? | Yes | Yes |
| Oath or affirmation? | Yes | No |
| Must the signer sign in the notary’s presence? | Yes | No; a prior signature may be acknowledged |
| Does the notary certify the document’s truth or legal effect? | No | No |
Which act does your document need?
The document preparer, receiving agency or another qualified adviser should specify the required act. An affidavit often calls for a jurat and some recordable instruments call for an acknowledgment, but examples are not a rule for every document. A California notary cannot give legal advice by choosing an act for the signer. Before an appointment, check the document’s instructions, have all signers available with acceptable identification, and ask about travel and notarial fees.
A document can potentially require more than one notarial certificate. Follow the document and receiving authority’s instructions; do not assume that one act always excludes another. If certificate wording is missing or unsuitable, ask the receiving organization or preparer which act is required. The notary can then use a compliant California certificate for that act when appropriate.
Need a mobile notary in Los Angeles?
Contact VIP Notary Services for appointment availability in Santa Monica and nearby Los Angeles communities. Share the document type, required act, location and preferred time so the team can confirm availability and fees. A notary appointment is separate from a government apostille; if the document will be used abroad, first identify its issuing authority and destination country.
Reviewed October 2026 against California Secretary of State guidance. This overview is not legal advice.
A jurat is used when the document or receiving organization requires the signer to swear or affirm a statement and sign in the notary’s presence. Affidavits are a common example, but the required act should come from the document or recipient, not a notary’s guess.
Potentially. A document or transaction can call for more than one notarial certificate. Follow the preparer’s and receiving authority’s instructions; a notary should not assume that one act always excludes another or choose a legal act for the signer.
Ask the receiving organization or document preparer which notarial act is required. Once the act is identified, the notary can use a compliant California certificate when appropriate. Do not assume that an out-of-state certificate is suitable for a California notarial act.
Read the document and ask its preparer or receiving organization. A jurat requires an oath or affirmation and signing in the notary’s presence; an acknowledgment covers the signer’s acknowledgment of execution and can involve a prior signature. If the instructions are unclear, seek qualified advice rather than asking the notary to make a legal choice.