Legal Definitions - jurat

A jurat is a formal certification added to a document, most commonly an affidavit or a deposition. Its purpose is to confirm that the document was properly signed and sworn to by the person making the statement before an authorized officer, such as a notary public.

The jurat typically includes specific wording, like "Subscribed and sworn to before me this ___ day of [month], [year]," followed by the officer's signature and official seal. By adding a jurat, the officer certifies three key things:

• That the person signing the document did so in the officer's physical presence.
• That the signer appeared before the officer on the specific date indicated.
• That the officer administered an oath or affirmation to the signer, who then formally declared or swore that the contents of the document were true and accurate.

It's important to note that the jurat itself is a separate certification and is not considered part of the main content or body of the affidavit or deposition.

Examples of a Jurat in Use:

• Court Witness Statement: Imagine a person who witnessed a car accident is asked to provide a written statement for a court case. They write down their detailed account of the event. To make this statement legally valid for court proceedings, they must sign it in front of a notary public. The notary then adds a jurat to the statement, certifying that the witness signed the document in their presence and swore under oath that everything contained within the statement is truthful and accurate. This jurat transforms a simple written account into a sworn affidavit that can be submitted as evidence.

• Professional License Application: An individual applying for a state professional license, such as a real estate broker's license, might be required to submit a sworn declaration confirming they meet all eligibility criteria and have no disqualifying criminal record. After completing the declaration, the applicant must sign it before a notary public. The notary then completes the jurat, which serves as official confirmation that the applicant's identity was verified, the document was signed on the specified date, and the applicant affirmed the truthfulness of their declaration under oath. This jurat is essential for the licensing board to accept the declaration as a legally binding and truthful statement.

• Insurance Claim Affidavit: Following a significant event like a house fire, a homeowner might need to submit a detailed affidavit to their insurance company, listing all damaged items and their estimated values. The homeowner prepares this affidavit and then signs it in the presence of a notary public. The notary attaches a jurat, certifying that the homeowner personally appeared, signed the document on that specific date, and swore under oath that the information provided regarding the damages and values is accurate and truthful. This jurat ensures the insurance company receives a legally attested statement, which carries more weight than an unsworn declaration.