Definitions
For your reference, some common notary terms found in jurat and acknowledgment certificates are defined below, along with several other words found in notary regulations.
Acknowledgment
Means a declaration by a person that the person has freely and voluntarily executed an instrument for the purposes stated therein and, if the instrument is executed in a representative capacity, that the person signed the instrument with proper authority and executed it as the act of the person or entity represented and identified therein and that the person acknowledges that the instrument was executed and acknowledged freely and voluntarily.
Affiant
The person making a statement under oath.
Affidavit
A signed statement, sworn to by the person making a personal appearance before the notary.
Before me
The act was conducted in the presence of the notary.
Deposition
The written testimony of a witness taken out of court under oath before a notary public or other person duly authorized to take it, and which is intended to be used for the trial of some cause in court or before some officer or commission appointed by statute.
Execute
Making or completing a signature.
Instrument
Document.
Jurat
A notarial act in which a notary certifies that a signer, whose identity is personally known to the notary or proven on the basis of satisfactory evidence, has made a voluntary signature in the notary's presence and taken an oath or affirmation vouching for the truthfulness of the signed document.
"Locus Sigilli"
Latin meaning "place of the seal."
Notarial Act
Any act that a notarial officer of this state is authorized to perform and includes taking an acknowledgment, administering an oath or affirmation, taking a verification upon oath or affirmation, witnessing or attesting a signature, certifying or attesting a copy and noting a protest of a negotiable instrument.
Notarial Officer
A notary public or other officer authorized to perform notarial acts.
Notary Certificate
The declarative wording, official signature, dates, and seal contained in the notarization.
Notary Public
A public officer commissioned by the Secretary of State for a four-year term and holds an office of trust and profit.
Oath
The affirmation of truth of a statement. The taking of an oath to an instrument means the affixing of a statement immediately below the signature of the person whose oath you are taking; words to the effect that the person signing the instruments swears that the contents of the instrument are true, e.g. "Subscribed and sworn"or "Being first duly sworn upon his oath."
Personal Appearance Before a Notary
The signer must be in the physical presence of the notary before the notary may lawfully notarize.
Protest
A formal statement in writing by a notary public, under seal, that a certain bill of exchange or promissory note was on a certain day presented for payment, or acceptance, and that payment or acceptance was refused.
Satisfactory Evidence
Valid identification card or papers.
"Scilicet"
Latin meaning "to wit"; or "specifically."
Subscribed
Signature or signed.
To Wit
That is to say, namely, scilicet.
Verification
Confirmation of correctness, truth or authenticity by affidavit, oath or deposition.