What Is a Notary Acknowledgement?

Notary acknowledgements verify the authenticity of sworn statements that are submitted as evidence in a court case. Read about its importance on Notarize.

An affidavit is a written statement filed by an affiant as evidence in a court case. In order to be admissible, affidavits must be notarized by a notary public.

There are two types of judicial notarizations: a notary acknowledgement and a jurat.

So what is a notary acknowledgement, and how does it differ from a jurat?

How to Obtain a Notary Acknowledgement

The purpose of an acknowledgement is for an affiant, whose identity has been verified, to declare to a notary public that he or she has willingly signed an affidavit.

An acknowledgment requires the following steps:

1. The signer must physically appear before you.
2. You as the notary must positively identify the signer according to your state’s rules.
3. The signer may either sign the document before appearing before you, or in your presence.
4. The signer must declare (acknowledge) signing the document for its intended purpose.

Unlike jurats, an acknowledgment does not need to be signed in the presence of a notary. However, the affiant does need to swear or affirm that they signed under their own free will.

It is highly recommended that any document that requires a notary seal be signed in front of the notary public to avoid any unnecessary mistakes or delays.

Expediting the Legal Process

Despite their importance, getting documents notarized is incredibly frustrating. For over 100 years, customers needed to find, schedule, and visit a notary public in-person to have their signature verified.

Court cases may take a long time to resolve, but getting your affidavit notarized doesn’t have to.

Notarize eliminates the hassle tied to in-person notarizations by allowing you to connect with a notary public instantly online through your iPhone, Android device, or on the web. Our agents can sign your documents in as little as five minutes, and they are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Sign up alongside thousands of happy customers who have found an easier, more efficient way to meet their notarization needs. Our app holds a 4.9 out of 5 rating in the iOS App Store with over 2,000 reviews, and a 9.4 out of 10 rating on Trustpilot with over 500 reviews.

How Does Notarize Work?

We work with your schedule, not the other way around. To get your document notarized by a notary public, simply Download the Notarize Mobile App, or Connect with a Notary Public Online and follow these steps:

1. Upload any document, but do not sign it before uploading it. You must sign before the notary public.
2. Fill out the document using Notarize’s digital tools.
3. Validate your identity.
4. When ready, you’ll be prompted to connect in a live video call with a commissioned electronic notary public. You have access to a notary 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
5. Sign using your computer, iPhone, or Android device as the notary public watches over live video.
6. Wait as the notary public notarizes your document online. The average wait time is about 60 seconds.
7. You’re done! Download your notarized PDF.

Ready to get that acknowledgement notarized? Visit Notarize to get started.