Jurat vs. Acknowledgment: What's the Difference?

If your document says 'Subscribed and sworn to before me,' you need a jurat. If it says 'Acknowledged before me,' you need an acknowledgment. They are not interchangeable — and using the wrong one can void your document.

Acknowledgment: 'I signed this willingly'

An acknowledgment is the most common notarial act. The signer appears before the notary, presents ID, and acknowledges that they signed the document of their own free will and for the purposes stated. The signer does not have to sign in front of the notary — they only have to confirm the signature is theirs.

Acknowledgments are used for deeds, mortgages, powers of attorney, and most real estate paperwork.

Jurat: 'I swear this is true'

A jurat is more formal. The signer must sign the document in front of the notary AND take an oath or affirmation that the contents are true. This is the notarial act used for affidavits, sworn statements, and depositions.

Because a jurat involves an oath, lying in a jurat can be perjury — a criminal offense.

How a Florida notary handles it

Florida law (Statute 117.05) requires the notarial certificate to clearly identify which act was performed. I am required to read what the document calls for and complete the matching certificate. If the document does not specify, I will ask you which one you need — or, if you are not sure, you may need to contact the agency or attorney requesting the document.