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Verifications

Verifications on Oath or Affirmation

The verification, also known as the jurat, is the second most common notarial act. The jurat is identified by the wording “Subscribed and sworn to (or affirmed).”

A verification is a notarial act in which a notary public certifies that a signer has, in the notary’s presence, voluntarily signed a document and taken an oath or affirmation pledging to the truthfulness of the signed document.

The jurat is usually executed when notarizing affidavits, depositions, or other written verifications that require the signer to take a verbal oath or affirmation. The primary purpose of the jurat is to compel truthfulness in a signer.

When executing a jurat, the notary public certifies three things:

  1. The signer personally appeared before the notary public at the time of the notarization, on the date and in the county indicated on the notarial certificate.
  2. The notary personally witnessed the signer sign the document at the time of the notarization.
  3. The notary public administered an oath or affirmation to the signer.

A verification always requires the signer to take a verbal oath or affirmation, attesting that the contents of the documents are true.

Technically, a New York notary is not required under law to identify the signer for jurats. However, a professional notary will always identify the signer, just as they would for an affirmation.

When performing a verification on oath or affirmation:

  1. The individual taking the verification on oath or affirmation must personally appear before the notary.
  2. The notary must have personal knowledge or satisfactory evidence of the identity of the individual.
  3. A record containing the statement which is being verified must be signed in the notary’s presence.
  4. The notary must compare the signature on the verified statement to the signature on the individual’s ID.
  5. The notary must administer an oath to the individual making the statement and require that the individual voluntarily swear or affirm that the statements contained in the record are true.

Sample Verification Certificate:

State of New York

County of (county)

Signed and sworn to (or affirmed) before me this _ day of (month), (year), by (name of signer).

(Signature of Notary Public) (Notary Seal, if any)