NH Notary NH Notary Acknowledgments and Jurats 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the key difference between an acknowledgment and a jurat in New Hampshire?
- Acknowledgments require an oath; jurats do not
- Jurats require the signer to swear an oath; acknowledgments require the signer to acknowledge their signature (Correct answer)
- They are legally identical
- Acknowledgments are only for real estate documents
Correct answer: Jurats require the signer to swear an oath; acknowledgments require the signer to acknowledge their signature
In an acknowledgment the signer confirms the signature is theirs; in a jurat the signer swears or affirms the document's contents are true.
Question 2: For a NH acknowledgment, must the document be signed in the notary's presence?
- Yes, always
- No, the signer may have signed beforehand but must personally acknowledge the signature (Correct answer)
- Only for real estate deeds
- Only if the signer is using a credible witness
Correct answer: No, the signer may have signed beforehand but must personally acknowledge the signature
For an acknowledgment, the signature may have been made prior, but the signer must personally appear and acknowledge it before the notary.
Question 3: What must a NH notary do when administering a jurat?
- Simply stamp the document
- Administer an oath or affirmation and require the signer to sign in their presence (Correct answer)
- Verify the document contents are accurate
- Certify the document is an original
Correct answer: Administer an oath or affirmation and require the signer to sign in their presence
A jurat requires the notary to administer an oath or affirmation and witness the signer signing the document.
Question 4: Which certificate wording is typically associated with an acknowledgment in New Hampshire?
- Subscribed and sworn before me
- Acknowledged before me (Correct answer)
- Witnessed by me
- Certified true and correct
Correct answer: Acknowledged before me
'Acknowledged before me' signals that the signer appeared and acknowledged the instrument as their free and voluntary act.
Question 5: In a NH jurat, what phrase indicates the signer has taken an oath?
- Acknowledged before me
- Subscribed and sworn before me (Correct answer)
- Certified and attested
- Witnessed and verified
Correct answer: Subscribed and sworn before me
'Subscribed and sworn before me' confirms both that the signer signed in the notary's presence and took an oath.
Question 6: Can a NH notary complete an acknowledgment certificate without the signer being personally present?
- Yes, for remote online notarizations only
- No, personal appearance or an approved remote appearance is always required (Correct answer)
- Yes, if two witnesses sign the document
- Yes, for documents under $500 in value
Correct answer: No, personal appearance or an approved remote appearance is always required
Personal appearance—either in person or via approved audio-visual technology for RON—is a mandatory requirement for all notarial acts including acknowledgments.
NH Notary NH Notary Acknowledgments and Jurats 1
What is the key difference between an acknowledgment and a jurat in New Hampshire?