NOTARY SERVICES
What is the difference between the two forms?

Acknowledgments 

Acknowledgments affirm the signer has been ID verified in person, either signed the document(s) in the presence of the Notary Public or prior to the appointment and declares he/she willingly signed the presented document(s). An Acknowledgment certificate contains the words, “acknowledged before me.”  California Acknowledgment

Jurats

Jurats affirm the signer has been ID verified in person, signer has been sworn under oath or affirmation and signed the document(s) in the presence of the Notary Public. Jurat certificates contain the words, “subscribed and sworn to (or affirmed) before me.”  California Jurat

LEGAL DOCUMENTS REQUIRING NOTARIZATIONS

Adoption Documents
Advanced Health Directives
Affidavit of Marriage
Affidavit of Occupancy
Affidavits and Administering Oaths
Application for Certified Birth Certificate
Application for Individual License
Assignment of Leases and Rent
Business Documents
Certification of Trustee
Child Custody and Guardianship
Compliance Agreement
Confidential Declaration of Domestic Partnership
Contracts and Business Forms
Copy of Powers of Attorney
Declaration Pursuant to California Probate
Declaration Regarding Employee Fingerprinting and Background Check
Deed to Secure Debt and Security Agreement
Dissolution of Marriage/Divorce
Duplication of Title for DMV
Estate Planning Documents
Health Care Directive
Individual Personal Affidavit
Inheritance Affidavit
Loan Signing
Last Will and Testament
Liability, Medical and Information Release Form
Non-Collusion Affidavit Form
Notification of Death
Parental Consent, Release and Waiver Liability
Participant Benefit Application
Passport Applications
Pension Payment Verification
Permission for Child to Travel
Personal Agreements
Personal Firearms Eligibility Check Application
Pre-Employment Release
Renters Agreements
Seller’s Packages
School Verification Forms
Signature and Name Affidavits
Spousal Waiver and Beneficiary Designation
State of California ABC Application/Affidavits
Structured Settlements
Termination California Registered Domestic Partnership
Unclaimed Property
Unconditional Waiver and Release
Vehicle Title Transfers
Vital Records Authorization Forms
Wills and Trusts

*Birth certificates, Marriage certificates, Death certificates, Divorce decrees, court documents and federally issued documents cannot be certified by a Notary Public as “true copies.” These documents are required to be certified by the California Secretary of State. 

California Notary Public Handbook 2022