Property transfers often require documents showing the transfer to be notarized and recorded. This means the document is entered into the county recorder’s office and notarized to ensure the document is authentic. A signed document can be notarized via a jurat or an acknowledgment. The choice of method is left to the person signing. The purpose of this article is to explain the difference between a jurat and an acknowledgment.
What is a jurat?
A jurat is a form of notarization also called verification upon oath or affirmation. This means the signer of the document will swear or affirm the truthfulness of the document’s contents to a notary or notarial official. (Allstate Savings & Loan Assn. v. Lotito (1981) 116 Cal.App.3d 998, 1005.)