For California notaries
California Acknowledgment vs. Jurat
Understand the practical difference between a California acknowledgment and jurat before preparing a document for notarization.
Overview
An acknowledgment and a jurat are different notarial acts. The receiving party or document instructions determine which certificate is needed; a notary should not choose a certificate for the signer or provide legal advice about the document.
Key points
- An acknowledgment records that a signer acknowledged executing a document.
- A jurat requires the signer to swear or affirm the truthfulness of the document and sign in the notary’s presence.
- Confirm the requested act before completing the certificate, and preserve California’s required certificate wording.
Official source and scope
California Secretary of State Notary Public Handbook (current edition) This guide is general information, not legal advice. Confirm current requirements with the official source and the receiving party.
Last reviewed: August 25, 2026.
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