Not sure which type of notarization you need? On the Proof platform, these are officially called notarial acts. While most documents already include the necessary legal wording, your notary can provide a "notarial certificate" page if your document is missing it. To help you get started, here are the general definitions of the most common acts performed on our platform!
Acknowledgment +
An acknowledgment is the most common type of notarization. Its purpose is to confirm that you are who you say you are and that you're signing the document willingly.
How it works: The notary verifies your identity, and you confirm that the signature on the document is yours and that you understand what you're signing.
Jurat +
A jurat is used when you need to confirm that the contents of a document are true.
How it works: The notary verifies your identity and then administers an oath or affirmation. You must swear — or affirm — that the statements in the document are true based on your personal knowledge, and then sign the document in front of the notary.
Oath or Affirmation +
An oath or affirmation is a spoken promise, often used for an "oath of office" or before giving a deposition or court testimony.
On the Proof platform: Most oaths performed on Proof are tied to a Jurat — confirming a document's truthfulness — but they can also stand alone as a verbal commitment.
Copy Certification +
In a copy certification, a notary confirms that a reproduction of a document is a "true and correct" copy of the original.
How it works: The notary compares the copy to the original to confirm it's complete and accurate.
Updated