AZ Notary Proper Procedures for Jurats and Verifications 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What three things must occur for a valid jurat in Arizona?
- Signer reads document, pays fee, and signs
- Signer is identified, signs in notary's presence, and takes an oath/affirmation (Correct answer)
- Signer presents two IDs, signs twice, and provides a fingerprint
- Signer appears, the notary reads the document, and witnesses sign
Correct answer: Signer is identified, signs in notary's presence, and takes an oath/affirmation
A valid jurat requires three elements: the signer's identity is verified, the document is signed in the notary's presence, and the signer takes an oath or affirmation swearing to the truthfulness of the content.
Question 2: What is a 'verification on oath or affirmation' in Arizona?
- A type of background check
- Another name for a jurat — the signer swears the document is true (Correct answer)
- A court procedure requiring a judge
- Verification that the notary's commission is active
Correct answer: Another name for a jurat — the signer swears the document is true
A verification on oath or affirmation is the formal name for a jurat. The signer verifies (swears or affirms) that the statements in the document are true and correct.
Question 3: An Arizona notary is asked to perform a jurat on a pre-signed document. What should they do?
- Complete the jurat since the signature is already on the document
- Require the signer to re-sign the document in the notary's presence (Correct answer)
- Accept it if the signer confirms the signature is theirs
- Notarize it as an acknowledgment instead
Correct answer: Require the signer to re-sign the document in the notary's presence
A jurat requires the signature to be made in the notary's presence. If the document is already signed, the signer must re-sign or sign again in front of the notary for a valid jurat.
Question 4: What oath wording is commonly used by Arizona notaries for a jurat?
- Do you promise this is correct?
- Do you swear or affirm that the statements in this document are true and correct? (Correct answer)
- Have you read this document?
- Do you authorize me to notarize this?
Correct answer: Do you swear or affirm that the statements in this document are true and correct?
The standard oath for a jurat asks the signer to swear or affirm that the statements in the document are true and correct to the best of their knowledge. The notary must actually administer this oath verbally.
Question 5: What is the notary's liability if a signer makes false statements in a document notarized with a jurat?
- The notary is equally liable for the false statements
- The notary has no liability if they properly performed the jurat (Correct answer)
- The notary must pay damages to any affected parties
- The notary's bond automatically covers all losses
Correct answer: The notary has no liability if they properly performed the jurat
If the notary properly performed the jurat (verified identity, witnessed signing, administered oath), they are not liable for false statements made by the signer. The signer bears responsibility for perjury.
Question 6: Can a jurat be used for a document that contains only a signature and no written statements?
- Yes, any document can have a jurat
- No, a jurat requires statements that can be sworn to (Correct answer)
- Yes, the signature itself is the statement
- Only if the notary adds a statement
Correct answer: No, a jurat requires statements that can be sworn to
A jurat is specifically for documents containing statements or declarations that the signer swears are true. A document with only a signature and no statements would need an acknowledgment, not a jurat.
AZ Notary Proper Procedures for Jurats and Verifications 2
What three things must occur for a valid jurat in Arizona?