Notary certificates are the wording attached to a notarized document stating what the notary actually witnessed or verified. They’re not the notary’s seal or stamp itself, but the specific paragraph of legal language that gives the notarization its meaning.
Two main types cover most notarizations. An acknowledgment certificate confirms that the signer appeared before the notary and admitted the signature is theirs, freely given. A jurat certificate confirms the signer swore or affirmed under oath that the document’s contents are true, and that they signed in the notary’s presence.
Choosing the wrong certificate type is a common and costly mistake, since it can invalidate the notarization even if everything else about the signing was done correctly. Documents often specify which type is required, and a signer or preparer should never leave that choice to guesswork.
A complete certificate typically includes the state and county where the notarization occurred, the date, the type of certificate, the notary’s signature and seal, and their commission expiration date. Missing any of these elements can cause a receiving institution to reject the document outright.
Loose certificates, printed separately and attached to a document rather than built into it, are sometimes necessary when a document was prepared without one, particularly for out-of-state or international paperwork. Attaching the correct loose certificate and stapling it securely to the signed document keeps the notarization valid and traceable.