Indiana Notary Public Practice Exam

What does jurat indicate in a notarized document?

1. That the document cannot be changed

2. That the signer has verified their identity

3. “It has been sworn” - a certificate added to an affidavit

4. That the notary has received payment

The correct answer is: “It has been sworn” - a certificate added to an affidavit

The correct choice emphasizes that a jurat indicates "It has been sworn," which highlights the purpose of this specific notarial act. A jurat is a formal declaration made by the signer that they are swearing or affirming the truthfulness of the contents of the document, typically an affidavit. The notary public's role is to witness this affirmation and certify it with the jurat, which is a statement added to the document reflecting that the signer has acknowledged the truthfulness of the information and has sworn to it in front of the notary. In contrast, other choices might touch on relevant aspects of notarization but do not accurately define what a jurat is. The idea that a document cannot be changed refers to concepts of document integrity, while verifying identity focuses on the notary's responsibility to identify the signer. Claiming that the notary has received payment is related to transaction duties but is not relevant to the concept of a jurat itself. Therefore, understanding that a jurat signifies an oath or affirmation adds clarity to its specific role in notarized documents.