When is a jurat used instead of an acknowledgment?

• A. When notarizing for a minor
• B. When the signer's ID is unavailable
• C. When an oath is administered for the truth of a statement
• D. When the notary lacks a seal

Answer: (C)

A jurat is used when the notary administers an oath or affirmation regarding the truth of the statements in the document. In this situation the signer personally appears, takes the oath or affirmation before the notary, and then signs the document while the oath is in effect. The jurat records that the oath was administered and that the signer affirmed the truth of the contents, with the notary’s signature and seal.

An acknowledgment, by contrast, is used when the signer verifies they signed the document willingly and acknowledges their signature, but without taking an oath about the truth of the contents. The other scenarios—such as issues related to a minor, the signer’s ID being unavailable, or the notary lacking a seal—do not define when a jurat is used.