I am notarizing a 401(k) document; do I use an acknowledgment or a jurat certificate? — L.V., California
Notaries Public are prohibited from choosing or suggesting which notarial act to complete. You must leave this decision to the signer. If the signer doesn’t know, the signer can ask the agency that drafted the document or an attorney for instructions, or you can show the signer a blank acknowledgment and jurat certificate and then explain the difference between the two notarizations and let the signer choose which one you should use.
Hotline answers are based on the laws in the state where the question originated and may not reflect the laws of other states. If in doubt, always refer to your own state statutes. – The Editors
Confronted with a tricky notarization? Unsure how to proceed? NNA members have unlimited access to our expertly trained NNA Hotline counselors to help you with all of your notarial questions. Call 1-888-876-0827, Monday through Friday, 6 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. PST; Saturday, 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. PST.