Washington Notary Jurat — When to Use It and How It Differs from an Acknowledgment

What a Jurat Is (and Is Not)

A jurat is a notarial act where the signer swears or affirms under oath that the statements in a document are true, then signs the document in front of you. You administer the verbal oath, watch them sign, and complete the jurat certificate.

This differs from an acknowledgment, where the signer confirms they signed a document voluntarily — but they do not swear to the truth of its contents, and they may have signed it before appearing before you.

The distinction is not about formality or severity. It is about what the notarial act certifies. A jurat certifies that the signer took an oath and signed in your presence. An acknowledgment certifies that the signer appeared before you and confirmed the signature is theirs.

Washington's Authorized Notarial Acts

Under RCW 42.45.020, Washington notaries can perform several types of notarial acts, each with a specific purpose:

• Acknowledgment: Confirming a signer voluntarily executed a document. Used for deeds, powers of attorney, and most real estate documents.
• Jurat (verification on oath or affirmation): Administering an oath that written statements are true, then witnessing the signature. Used for affidavits, sworn statements, and court filings.
• Signature witnessing: Verifying the identity of someone who signs in your presence.
• Copy certification: Comparing a copy with an original to verify accuracy.
• Administering an oath or affirmation: A verbal ceremony without a document signing component.

The maximum fee for these standard acts is $15, with the applicable unit depending on the act (for example, per signature, page, or person) under WAC 308-30-220. Remote online notarization carries a $25 cap per session.

When Each Act Applies

The document itself usually specifies which notarial act is required. Look for the certificate language at the end — it will either reference an acknowledgment or a jurat/verification.

Use a jurat when:

• The document contains the phrase "subscribed and sworn to before me" or "verified on oath"
• The document is an affidavit, declaration, or sworn statement
• Court filings require sworn testimony
• The signer must attest to the truthfulness of the content

Use an acknowledgment when:

• The document says "acknowledged before me"
• Real estate deeds, mortgages, and title documents require recording
• Powers of attorney need notarization
• The signer does not need to swear to the truth of the content

The Oath Requirement Is Not Optional

The most common mistake with jurats is skipping the verbal oath. You must actually administer the oath or affirmation — a simple "Do you swear or affirm that the statements in this document are true?" followed by the signer's verbal "I do" or equivalent.

Completing a jurat certificate without administering the oath is a violation of your commission. The oath transforms a regular signature into a sworn statement, which carries legal consequences for the signer if the content is false. Skip it and the jurat has no legal effect.

For signers who object to swearing, Washington law permits an affirmation as an alternative. The affirmation carries the same legal weight but avoids religious language.

Non-Attorney Notaries Cannot Choose for the Signer

If a document arrives without any notarial certificate language and the signer asks you which type they need — stop. Non-attorney notaries in Washington are prohibited from selecting or recommending the type of notarial certificate. That decision constitutes unauthorized practice of law under RCW 42.45.

Direct the signer to the document's originator — the attorney, court, or agency that prepared it — and have them specify which notarial act the document requires. If the signer insists you just pick one, refuse the notarization. Guessing wrong exposes both you and the signer to legal problems.

Jurat Certificate Wording

Washington's RULONA-compliant jurat certificate typically reads:

State of Washington, County of [county]. Signed and sworn to (or affirmed) before me on [date] by [name of signer].

Followed by your signature, printed name, commission number, and stamp impression. The certificate must be attached to or appear on the document — a loose certificate requires a notation tying it to the specific document.

Your physical stamp impression goes on every notarial certificate regardless of type, meeting the specifications under WAC 308-30-070: "Notary Public," "State of Washington," your commissioned name, commission number, and expiration date.

The Washington Notary Commission guide includes ready-reference certificate wording for both jurats and acknowledgments, along with the complete list of authorized notarial acts and the rules for when you must refuse a notarization.

See more Washington guides →