Glossary of Terms

ACKNOWLEDGMENT- An acknowledgment is the act of one who has executed an instrument in going before a notary or other official authorized to take the acknowledgment and declaring that they have executed the document.

AFFIDAVITS- An affidavit is simply a written statement sworn to before an officer authorized to administer an oath. A person “makes” an affidavit by going before a notary or other officer and swearing to the contents of a written document. A notary “takes” an affidavit by administering the oath and completing the certificate.

AFFIRMATION-A person who objects to swearing may make an affirmation. In such case, the notary would ask, “Do you solemnly and sincerely affirm under the penalties of perjury that the statements contained in this affidavit are true?” The notary would change the jurat to show that the affiant affirmed rather than swore.

AFFIANT-The person who is making the affidavit.

JURAT-A notary’s certificate on an affidavit is called a jurat.