Imagine that you’re starting a business selling phone cases, video games, and other expensive electronics. There will be times when you’ll have to create documents that need to be notarized. But most business owners don’t realize there’s more than one kind of notarization. You need to know the common types of notarizations to run your business properly.
It would be incredible to have a notary visit your house or place of business whenever you need. Thanks to the Internet, it’s become easier than ever to find notaries near you. Now it’s time to learn the different types of notarizations that your business may need.
Acknowledgment
An acknowledgment ensures that the person who signs the document is who they claim to be and has voluntarily signed that document. These documents are often required for deeds, deeds of trust, and mortgages. To notarize an acknowledgment, the person must appear at the time that the notarization takes place to acknowledge or declare that the signature was made on their behalf.
While it’s common for your client to sign the document in front of you, it’s not required. Your client has the freedom to sign the document before bringing it to your attention. You don’t have to acknowledge whether the signature on their document is theirs.
Jurat
A jurat is a document in which a person affirms or swears that the contents within that document are valid. It’s often referred to as an affidavit, affirmation, or verification on oath. When it comes to notarizing a jurat, that person must physically appear and sign that document within your presence. Then you will administer an affirmation or an oath and allow the individual to speak aloud that the statements are true.
Only the signer can choose between an affirmation or an oath. This verifies that the contents within the document are valid. The signer could get prosecuted for perjury if they lie. In the state of California, the signer is required to provide proof of identity before declaring the document as true.
Oaths and Affirmations
There are some situations where your client will require an oath or affirmation. This is usually done orally, rather than as part of a written document. The purpose of a verbal oath is to prove a document’s validity. An oath is an individual’s pledge while an affirmation is a pldege on that individual’s personal honor. This decision is up to the signer.
Copy Certification
A copy certification means that the document is an accurate, full, and true transcript or reproduction of the original. This is commonly used on bills of sale, contracts, diplomas, driver’s licenses, leases, medical records, Social Security cards, and vehicle titles. To notarize a copy certification, the person who has the original version of the document must take it to a notary. The notary will make a copy of the document and confirm that the copy certification is an accurate, complete, and true copy of the original version.
Even though copy certifications are common, 50% of the U.S. states prevent notaries from performing this type of notarization. The process for copy certifications vary by state. Check your state’s laws and guidelines to see if it’s required to certify copies. Some states may only require specific copies of documents, not photocopies or images.
Signature Witnessing
Some states in the U.S. allow notaries to conduct a signature witnessing. During this act, you confirm that the individual in front of you is who they claim to be, and their signature is the signature of that individual. It’s different from an acknowledgment is that you’re witnessing the signature of the document. It’s also different from affidavits, affirmations, jurats, or verifications upon oath in that it’s not required to administer an oath.
Sworn Declaration
A sworn declaration or a sworn statement is similar to an affidavit in some ways. During the notarization, the witnesses are required to testify under oath. The court reporter is also required to make an appearance to record the testimony. A sworn declaration allows court proceedings to continue without those witnesses present. Unlike an affidavit, it doesn’t require a court clerk or notary to seal, stamp, and witness the document.
Quitclaim Deed
A quitclaim deed is a document that transfers ownership onto another property. It’s commonly used for condominiums, homes, or other types of real estate. They’re often referred to as quick claim deeds or quit claim deeds since they’re a “quick” way to process real estate transfers. Quitclaim deeds are often needed when a property is being transferred among parties without a traditional sale. This document can also be used to complete the title for a property.
