The Difference Between an Acknowledgement and Oath/Affirmation & Jurat
The main difference between an acknowledgment, oath/affirmation, and a jurat is the level of commitment required from the signer: Acknowledgment The signer acknowledges that they voluntarily signed the document. The notary verifies the signer's identity, but the signer doesn't need to be present when the notary notarizes the signature. Acknowledgments are often used for real estate transfers, powers of attorney, and contracts. Oath/affirmation The signer promises to tell the truth about the contents of the document. The signer can take an oath, which is a promise to a deity, or an affirmation, which is a pledge to their personal honor. Both are legally binding and subject to penalties for perjury. Jurat The signer swears or affirms that the contents of the document are true, and the notary administers the oath or affirmation. Jurats are also known as affidavits and are often used for affidavits of death or to swear that certain facts are true. Notaries use stamps to mark acknowledgments and jurats on documents. The notary must witness the signer's actions, then add their name, commission number, and expiration date to the stamp