Attach It! No Loose Certificates.

The certificate of acknowledgment is the form most frequently used by a notary public. The second most frequently used form is the jurat. Although these forms are used for different purposes, they share many of the same requirements.

Both the certificate of acknowledgment and the jurat must be endorsed on (the document) or stapled to (if a loose leaf) the instrument (document). Taping or paper-clipping the certificate of acknowledgment or jurat to the document is not permitted.

Additionally, a certificate of acknowledgment or jurat cannot be completed and affixed to a document mailed or otherwise delivered to a notary public if the signer did not appear in person before the notary public, even if the signer is known by the notary public.

Remember: The certificate of acknowledgment and/or the jurat bears your signature and your stamp. To ensure they are used for their intended purpose, they always must be attached permanently to the instrument (document).