Notary Acknowledgment

A notary acknowledgment for your state, done right the first time.

Add the correct notarial certificate to your document with the correct acknowledgment or jurat wording your state requires. Get the exact block for deeds, POAs, and affidavits. Free templates in PDF & Word.

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Notary Acknowledgment

Notary Acknowledgement
Parties
Party 1
Party 2
Address
Details
Item
Ref #
Terms
Amount
Date
Sign
Sign
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preview the acknowlegdment, then download

See the exact notarial wording before you use it. Grab a blank certificate free, or pick the act and your state and we'll load the correct acknowledgment or jurat block.

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The complete guide

What is a notary acknowledgment?

A notary acknowledgment is the notarial certificate, the block of wording a notary completes and signs, confirming that a person appeared, was identified, and acknowledged signing a document. It's attached to documents that must be notarized, like deeds, powers of attorney, and many affidavits, and it's what makes the notarization official.

The two most common notarial acts are the acknowledgment (the signer confirms they signed willingly) and the jurat (the signer swears the contents are true under oath). The exact wording is set by state law, and using the wrong state's certificate can cause a document to be rejected, which is why the certificate must match your state.

When do you need one?

  • Notarizing a deed, power of attorney, or affidavit

  • A notary who needs the correct certificate wording for their state

  • Attaching the right acknowledgment or jurat to a document

  • A signer appearing before a notary to acknowledge a signature

  • Certifying a copy of a document

  • A representative or corporate officer signing on behalf of an entity

What it should include

  • Venue: the state and county where the notarization happens

  • Appearance: the date and that the signer personally appeared

  • Identification: how the notary identified the signer

  • The act: acknowledgment (signed willingly) or jurat (sworn oath)

  • State wording: the exact certificate language your state requires

  • Notary details: the notary's signature, seal, and commission expiration

  • Attachment: the certificate attached to the underlying document

Acknowledgment vs. jurat

In an acknowledgment, the signer confirms to the notary that they signed the document willingly, the signature can even be made beforehand. In a jurat, the signer must sign in front of the notary and swear or affirm that the contents are true. Deeds and POAs use acknowledgments; affidavits and sworn statements use jurats.

Why the certificate must match your state

Each state prescribes its own notarial certificate wording, and some require the exact statutory language. A certificate with another state's wording, or missing required elements, can cause a recorder or court to reject the document. Always use the certificate for the state where the notarization happens.

Common mistakes to avoid

  • Using another state's certificate wording

  • Confusing an acknowledgment with a jurat

  • Notarizing without the signer personally appearing

  • Leaving out the venue (state and county)

  • Missing the notary's seal or commission expiration

  • Attaching the certificate to the wrong document or page

Step by step

How to complete a notary acknowledgment (5 steps)

1

Pick the act and state

Acknowledgment or jurat, and your state, the wording differs, so this matters.

2

Fill in the venue

The state and county where the notarization takes place.

3

Verify the signer

The signer appears in person and the notary identifies them (usually by ID). Personal appearance is required for a valid notarization.

4

Complete the certificate

The notary fills in the date, the signer's name, and the state-specific wording.

5

Sign, seal, and attach

The notary signs, applies their seal, and the certificate is attached to the document.

Notarial certificate rules by state

Required acknowledgment and jurat wording, and whether the exact statutory language is mandatory, varies by state. Free state-specific certificates.

StateStatutory wordingSeal requiredJurat requires oathNote
AlabamaStatutory content requiredYesYesRecorded instruments need oath and seal
AlaskaStatutory formsYesYesSeal must be photographically reproducible
ArizonaStatutory short formYesYesCertificate must describe the document
ArkansasStatutory form (sufficient)YesYesReal-property acknowledgment form
CaliforniaMandatory wording + disclaimerYesYesDisclaimer: verifies identity only
ColoradoStatutory short form (RULONA)YesYesRemote online notarization allowed
ConnecticutStatutory formsOptionalYesSeal optional; info may be typed
DelawareStatutory short form (RULONA)YesYesRemote notarization allowed
FloridaStatutory formsYesYesMust state type of ID relied on
GeorgiaNo mandatory wordingYesYesGovernment photo ID required
HawaiiSubstantial complianceYesYesRemote notarization allowed
IdahoStatutory short form (RULONA)YesYesShort form sufficient if completed
IllinoisStatutory short formYesYesSeal in black, photo-reproducible
IndianaRequired content (no short form)YesYesElectronic seal for e-records
IowaStatutory short formYesYesRULONA; personal appearance required
KansasShort form by SOS ruleYesYesShort forms set by Secretary of State
KentuckyStatutory short formNoYesStamp optional; contents set if used
LouisianaStatutory formsNoYesNotary ID number required on documents
MaineStatutory short formOptionalYesStamp optional on paper, required for e-records
MarylandStatutory short formYesYesRemote notarization authorized
MassachusettsStatutory wording (substantial)YesYesMust note evidence of identification
MichiganPrescribed statements (no short form)NoYesRepealed short-form acknowledgments (2019)
MinnesotaStatutory short formYesYesEvery notary must obtain a stamp
MississippiStatutory formsYesYesRevised Law on Notarial Acts (2021)
MissouriStatutory form (substantial)YesYesRULONA-based (2020); in-person appearance
MontanaStatutory short formYesYesVerification adds knowingly and willingly
NebraskaStatutory short formYesYesOnline Notary Public Act (remote)
NevadaStatutory short formYesYesEmbossed seal not required; ink stamp used
New HampshireStatutory short formOptionalYesOfficial seal optional
New JerseyStatutory short formNoYesRULONA (2021); contemporaneous certificate
New MexicoStatutory short formYesYesStamp filed with Secretary of State first
New YorkSubstantial complianceNoYes2023 rule: identifying statement in black ink
North CarolinaSubstantial complianceYesYesSeal is exclusive property of the notary
North DakotaStatutory short formYesYesStamp shows name, jurisdiction, expiration
OhioStatutory short formYesYesCertificate must state county and state venue
OklahomaStatutory short formYesYesSeal impression filed with Secretary of State
OregonStatutory short formYesYesCertificate names the person served
PennsylvaniaStatutory short formYesYesAffidavit counts as verification on oath
Rhode IslandSubstantial complianceYesYesID by personal knowledge or evidence
South CarolinaStatutory short formYesYesCommission expiration below signature
South DakotaStatutory short formYesYesExpiration date below the seal
TennesseeMandatory wordingYesYesOnline notarization allowed
TexasStatutory short formYesYesSeal shows a five-point star
UtahSubstantial complianceYesYesIn-person seal in purple ink
VermontStatutory short formOptionalYesStamp or printed name and commission number
VirginiaStatutory short formYesYesFirst state to allow remote notarization
WashingtonStatutory short formYesYesRULONA (ch. 42.45)
West VirginiaStatutory short formYesYesRULONA enactment
WisconsinStatutory short formYesYesRemote notarization allowed
WyomingStatutory short formYesYesRemote online and remote ink notarization
Washington D.C.Statutory short formYesYesPublic no-cost notary database

Your notary acknowledgment in 3 steps

1

Pick the act & state

Acknowledgment or jurat, and your state; we load the wording.

2

Fill in the venue

State, county, date, and signer.

3

Sign & seal

The notary signs, seals, and attaches it.

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State-specific & reviewed

Every template is matched to your state's law and reviewed by our legal team, with citations you can check.

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Kept current

When a state's rules change, we update the form. Your documents stay compliant, not stale.

Notary Acknowledgment FAQ

What's the difference between an acknowledgment and a jurat?+
In an acknowledgment, the signer confirms they signed the document willingly (and may have signed beforehand). In a jurat, the signer must sign in front of the notary and swear the contents are true. Deeds and POAs use acknowledgments; affidavits use jurats.
Does the notary certificate have to match my state?+
Yes. Each state prescribes its own notarial wording, and some require the exact statutory language. A certificate with another state's wording can cause a recorder or court to reject the document, so always use the one for the state where the notarization happens.
Does the signer have to appear in person?+
For a traditional notarization, yes. Personal appearance before the notary is required so the notary can identify the signer and witness or take the acknowledgment. Some states now allow remote online notarization (RON) with video, under specific rules.
What is a notarial seal?+
It's the notary's official stamp or embossed seal, showing their name, commission, and state. Most states require the seal on the certificate along with the notary's signature and commission expiration date for the notarization to be valid.
Can I notarize a document myself?+
No. A notary can't notarize their own signature or a document in which they have a personal interest. You need a commissioned notary public who is a neutral third party to complete the acknowledgment or jurat.

Related documents

Deed

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