The second form most frequently completed by a notary public is the jurat. (Government Code section 8202) The jurat is identified by the wording “Subscribed and sworn to (or affirmed)” contained in the form. In the jurat, the notary public certifies:
- That the signer personally appeared before the notary public on the date indicated and in the county indicated.
- That the signer signed the document in the presence of the notary public.
- That the notary public administered the oath or affirmation.*
- To the identity of the signer.
Any jurat taken within this state shall be in the following form:
State of California
County of ________________
Subscribed and sworn to (or affirmed) before me on this _____ day of _______, 20__, by _______________________, proved to me on the basis of satisfactory evidence to be the person(s) who appeared before me.
NOTARY PUBLIC SIGNATURE NOTARY PUBLIC SEAL
NOTE: Key wording of a jurat is “subscribed and sworn to (or affirmed) before me.” A jurat cannot be affixed to a document mailed or otherwise delivered to a notary public whereby the signer did not personally appear, take an oath, and sign in the presence of the notary public, even if the signer is known by the notary public. Also, a notary public seal and signature cannot be affixed to a document without the correct notarial wording.
*There is no prescribed wording for the oath, but an acceptable oath would be “Do you swear or affirm that the statements in this document are true?” When administering the oath, the signer and notary public traditionally each raise their right hand but this is not a legal requirement.