Hawaii Notary Public Practice Exam

What does the jurat signify in a notarial act?

1. It is the signature of the notary

2. It confirms that the affiant swore to the statement

3. It is the location of the notarial act

4. It denotes the fee charged by the notary

The correct answer is: It confirms that the affiant swore to the statement

The jurat is a crucial component of a notarial act, as it signifies that the affiant has sworn to the truthfulness of the statements made in the document before the notary. When an affiant appears before a notary and takes an oath regarding the content of the document, the jurat is then attached, indicating that the notary has witnessed this oath. This process adds a layer of authenticity and legal weight to the document, ensuring that the affiant is legally bound to the truth of their statements. The other choices do not accurately represent the function of a jurat. While the notary's signature is important, it is not what the jurat itself signifies. The location of the notarial act is typically noted elsewhere in the notarial certificate and is not the focus of the jurat. The fee charged by the notary is also separate from the jurat's purpose and does not pertain to the act of swearing an affirmation. Thus, the correct understanding of a jurat is its role in confirming that the affiant has sworn to the statements made in the document.