Notary Oaths, Affirmations, and Jurats Flashcards

The certificate wording for a Texas jurat typically includes the phrase:

Answer: 'Subscribed and sworn to before me'

A jurat certificate in Texas uses the phrase 'subscribed and sworn to (or affirmed) before me,' confirming the signing and oath occurred in the notary's presence.

A Texas notary administering an oath for an affidavit must ensure the affiant:

Answer: Understands they are swearing to the truth of their written statement

The notary must ensure the affiant understands they are taking an oath regarding the truthfulness of the document's contents.

Which of the following is NOT a notarial act in Texas?

Answer: Providing legal advice about a document

Providing legal advice constitutes the unauthorized practice of law and is not a notarial act a Texas notary may perform.

In a Texas jurat, the notary certifies that:

Answer: The signer appeared, signed in the notary's presence, and took an oath or affirmation

A jurat certifies three things: the signer appeared, signed before the notary, and took an oath or affirmation regarding truthfulness.

A Texas notary who fails to administer an actual oath during a jurat notarization has:

Answer: Committed an error that could invalidate the notarial act

If no oath or affirmation is actually administered, the jurat is defective because the essential sworn component is missing.

Which of the following statements about verbal oaths in Texas is true?

Answer: The affiant must respond audibly to confirm the oath

The affiant must respond verbally (audibly) to the notary's oath question to confirm the oath has been properly administered.