Notary · Types of Notarial Acts

When performing a jurat, what must the notary administer to the signer?

Correct answer

An oath or affirmation, in which the signer swears or affirms the truthfulness of the document's contents

  1. A Nothing additional
  2. B An oath or affirmation, in which the signer swears or affirms the truthfulness of the document's contents
  3. C A fingerprint scan
  4. D A credit check

Why this is the answer

A jurat requires the notary to administer an oath or affirmation to the signer, who swears (oath) or affirms (a non-religious solemn promise) that the statements in the document are true. The signer must also sign in the notary's presence and prove their identity. This contrasts with an acknowledgment, which involves no oath — the signer merely acknowledges signing willingly. Administering the oath is a formal, spoken step the notary must actually perform, not skip; failing to administer the oath when a jurat is required invalidates the notarization. The notary should use clear wording asking the signer to swear or affirm the truth of the document.
Source: NNA Notarial Acts, Oaths and Affirmations

Practice more questions

This question is from our Notary Public Practice Tests practice test. Take the full practice test to test your knowledge across all Types of Notarial Acts and other topics.

Take the Notary practice test →

New to this exam? Our Notary exam guide explains the format, scoring, and how to prepare.

Related questions

State-specific guides

Need information for your state? Our state guides cover local requirements, fees, and what to expect on exam day.