Simple One Page Documents/ Definitions
Terms as described by the National Notary Association
Acknowledgment:
Act in which a Notary certifies having positively identified a document signer who personally appeared before the Notary and admitted having signed the document.
Jurat:
Act in which a Notary certifies having watched the signing of a document and administered an oath or affirmation.
Oath:
Spoken, solemn promise to a Supreme Being that is made before a Notary in relation to a jurat or other Notary act, or as a Notary act in its own right.
Affirmation:
Spoken, solemn promise on one's personal honor, with no reference to a Supreme Being, that is made before a Notary in relation to a jurat or other Notary act, or as a Notary act in its own right.
Affidavit:
Written statement signed before a Notary by a person who swears or affirms to the Notary that the statement is true.
Affiant:
Signer of an affidavit.
Power of Attorney:
Document granting authority for a person to act as attorney in fact for another.
Will:
Legal document containing a person's wishes about disposition of personal property after death; short for "last will and testament.