What Is the Difference Between an Acknowledgment and a Jurat?
By John F. Heinz, Managing Director, Prismark Signature Services
Published: August 30, 2026
Quick Answer
An acknowledgment and a jurat are two common notarial acts in California, but they serve different purposes and have different signing requirements.
With an acknowledgment, the document may already be signed. The signer personally appears before the notary, provides satisfactory evidence of identity, and acknowledges signing the document. No oath or affirmation is required. With a jurat, the signer must sign the document in the notary’s presence and take an oath or affirmation that the statements in the document are true.
If you have questions about the notarization process, contact Prismark Signature Services at 213-563-0758 for more information.
Key Takeaways
- An acknowledgment and a jurat are different notarial acts.
- An acknowledgment does not require an oath or affirmation, and the document may already be signed.
- A jurat requires the signer to sign in the notary’s presence and take an oath or affirmation.
- A California notary cannot choose which notarial act you need. If it is not specified, the document preparer or receiving organization should provide direction.
What Is an Acknowledgment?
An acknowledgment is commonly used when a signer needs to acknowledge that they executed a document. It is often encountered with deeds, powers of attorney, and other transactional documents. The signer must personally appear before the notary and provide satisfactory evidence of identity.
The document may be signed before the signer appears before the notary, or it may be signed in the notary’s presence. If it was already signed, the signer must personally appear before the notary and acknowledge that the signature is theirs. No oath or affirmation is required.
What Is a Jurat
A jurat is commonly used for affidavits and other sworn statements in which the signer must swear or affirm that the statements in the document are true. The signer must personally appear before the notary, sign the document in the notary’s presence, and take an oath or affirmation.
Because the signature must be made in the notary’s presence, a document requiring a jurat should not be signed in advance
Acknowledgment vs. Jurat: The Simple Difference
| Requirement | Acknowledgment | Jurat |
| Personal appearance | Required | Required |
| Identity established | Required | Required |
| Document may already be signed | Yes | No |
| Signature made in notary’s presence | Not required | Required |
| Oath or affirmation | Not required | Required |
Does the Certificate Need to Meet California Requirements?
Yes. When an acknowledgment or jurat is completed in California, the notarial certificate must use wording that meets California requirements. California acknowledgment and jurat certificates include a required boxed consumer notice explaining that the notary verifies the identity of the signer, not the truthfulness, accuracy, or validity of the document.
If the certificate provided with the document does not meet California requirements, a California-compliant certificate may need to be attached. This does not mean the notary can decide whether you need an acknowledgment or a jurat.
Which One Do I Need?
The required notarial act may already be indicated on the document or in instructions from the document preparer or receiving organization. If it is not specified, a California notary cannot decide which notarial act you should use because that choice can have legal consequences. Contact the document preparer, receiving organization, or a qualified attorney for direction.
You’re in Good Hands With Prismark
For your peace of mind, Prismark is a bonded California Notary Public, background screened, and carries $1 million in Errors & Omissions (E&O) insurance. Prismark has also earned 200+ five-star Google reviews from clients we have served.
Professional. Reliable. Responsive.
How Prismark Can Help
Prismark Signature Services provides professional mobile notary services throughout Los Angeles and surrounding communities. At your appointment, we can review the document for any notarial certificate or instructions already provided, verify your identification, explain the notarization process, and guide you through the signing procedure for the notarial act requested.
Contact Prismark Signature Services at (213) 563-0758 for more information or to schedule an appointment.
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Professional Notice
The information provided in the Prismark Library is for general educational purposes only. Prismark Signature Services is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice.
If you have questions about which notarial act your document requires, the contents or legal effect of the document, or your legal rights, please contact the document preparer, receiving organization, or a qualified attorney.
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