PA Notarial Acts
1. Acknowledgments
An acknowledgment is the most common notarial act. It verifies that the signer is who they say they are and that they are signing the document voluntarily.
Best for: Deeds, mortgages, powers of attorney, and business contracts.
Key Requirement: The document does not need to be signed in front of the notary, but the signer must physically appear before the notary to verify their identity and declare that the signature is theirs.
2. Oaths and Affirmations
An oath or affirmation is a spoken pledge administered by the notary to a signer.
An oath is a pledge to a supreme being (e.g., "So help me God").
An affirmation is a solemn, secular promise made under penalty of perjury.
Best for: Sworn affidavits, court testimony depositions, and taking an oath of office.
Key Requirement: The signer must verbally make the pledge directly to the notary.
3. Verifications on Oath or Affirmation (Jurats)
Commonly referred to as a Jurat, this act combines a spoken oath or affirmation with a physical signature. The notary certifies that the signer took an oath affirming that the statements in the document are true.
Best for: Legal affidavits, vehicle title transfers, and formal court petitions.
Key Requirement: The document must be signed in the physical presence of the notary after the oath or affirmation is given.
4. Signature Witnessing
In a signature witnessing, the notary's role is to verify the signer's identity and witness them physically signing the document. Unlike a Jurat, the signer is not swearing to the truthfulness of the document's contents.
Best for: Local rental agreements, private contracts, or forms requiring a witnessed signature but no legal oath.
Key Requirement: The document must be signed in the physical presence of the notary.
5. Copy Certifications
A copy certification is an act in which the notary reviews an original document, makes a photocopy, and certifies that the copy is a full, true, and accurate reproduction of the original.
Best for: Diplomas, passports, medical records, and corporate contracts.
Key Requirement: The notary must personally handle or witness the copying of the original document.
⚠️ Compliance Note: Pennsylvania notaries cannot certify copies of official vital records (such as birth, death, or marriage certificates) or court-issued public documents. Certified copies of these records must be obtained directly from the appropriate government office.