Notary

Acknowledgment vs. Jurat: What Is the Difference?

By Akeem Goodman · Updated August 21, 2026

Understand the practical difference between an acknowledgment and a jurat before your Georgia notary appointment.

Acknowledgments and jurats are different notarial acts. The notary cannot choose one for you, so the document recipient or an attorney should tell you which certificate is required.

Acknowledgment

With an acknowledgment, the signer personally appears and acknowledges signing the document willingly. The focus is the signer's identity and acknowledgment of the signature.

Jurat

A jurat involves an oath or affirmation. The signer swears or affirms that the statements in the document are true and signs as required for that act.

Why the difference matters

Using the wrong certificate can cause the receiving organization to reject the document. Ask the organization receiving the document which act it requires before meeting the notary.

Georgia provides sample certificates

The Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority publishes sample acknowledgment and jurat certificates. Those official samples demonstrate that the wording and purpose are not interchangeable.

Official source: Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority ↗

General information only. This article is not legal advice. Requirements can depend on the document and receiving organization.