A jurat is a notarial act in which the signer swears or affirms that the statements in the document are true. The notary administers the oath or affirmation and completes the jurat certificate.
Signers typically sign the document in the notary’s presence for a jurat. Arriving with a pre-signed jurat document can prevent the notary from completing the act.
The notary does not investigate whether the statements are actually true. The notary’s role is the oath or affirmation, identification, and the certificate.