An acknowledgment is a notarial act in which the signer declares that they signed the document willingly. The signer must appear before the notary, but the document does not need to be signed in the notary’s presence.
A jurat requires the signer to swear or affirm that the contents of the document are true
Vermont notaries have the authority to certify that a copy of a document is a true copy of the original. They are not permitted to perform duties such as providing legal advice, drafting legal documents, or conducting marriage ceremonies unless they have other specific qualifications, like being an attorney or an officiant.
A Vermont notary public is prohibited from notarizing any document in which they have a personal or financial interest, as this could create a conflict of interest. Notaries must remain impartial and avoid situations that could compromise their objectivity.
A Vermont notary can identify a signer using personal knowledge, a valid government-issued photo ID, or a credible witness who personally knows both the notary and the signer. These are all considered acceptable methods of identification.
