Everything You Need to Know About Loose Notary Certificates
The Difference between Acknowledgments and Jurats
Jurats and acknowledgments are common activities that notaries need to perform periodically. While you cannot use both on one document, either one is necessary when you sign as a notary.
Acknowledgments are basically certificates that can verify and confirm the signer’s identity. It is designed for the signer so that they can declare that they personally appeared in front of the notary and have signed the document willingly. You can sign it prior to physically appearing in front of the notary.
As for Jurats, they are used when the client affirms or swears to the truthfulness of any document and requires them to be in person for this process. The notary needs to present when you sign a jurat.
Who Choose the Notary Act?
It is on the signer to decide which type of notary act they need. If you have any confusion, you can ask the notary to explain it to you, but the end decision is in your hands.
What Documents Need Loose Notary Certificates?
If the document doesn’t contain the right notary language, it will need a loose notary certificate. Documents that don’t necessarily comply with the requirements of the stay, the documents that don’t have enough space for the notary stamp, or another notary that has used a pre-printed certificate before will all need the loose notary certificate attached.
How Loose Notary Certificates Need to Be Attached
You need to make sure that the certificates are completed and attached correctly. This means that they need to be signed, dated, and stamped. The certificate also needs to be dated and signed by the signer if there isn’t a proper place for signatures on the document. Any black space on the certificate that isn’t applicable should have a line drawn over it to make sure that it is acknowledged that it wasn’t left empty on purpose.
When the process for notarization is completed, the loose notary certificate should be attached in a way that it can’t be removed. It is usually attached under the document and stapled on the left side. Suppose you have a professional notary on board. In that case, they will make sure to highlight the importance of keeping the certificate and document together to deter any fraud or even reattachment onto other documents. Some even go so far as to add on the document to see the loose notary certificate attached.
SLO Notary is a team of professionals that can guide you on the entire process properly. They know the work inside out, which can be great for individuals and companies that need experts on the table during the signing.