The Short Answer
There are two main ways to notarize a document. If you swear to it (a jurat), you sign in front of the notary and swear that what the paper says is true. This is for affidavits. If you confirm you signed it (an acknowledgment), you tell the notary that the signature is yours and that you signed of your own free will. This is for deeds, contracts and Special Powers of Attorney. Either way, you must go to the notary in person with a valid ID.
Example: An Affidavit of Loss in Lipa and an SPA for a Sister Abroad
Names and details in this example are made up.
The Affidavit of Loss (jurat). Rowena Castillo, a teacher in Barangay Marawoy, Lipa City, Batangas, loses her wallet on a jeepney in August 2026. Her payroll ATM card was inside. The bank blocks the card and asks for an Affidavit of Loss before it issues a new one. Rowena types up the affidavit with the help of the Affidavit of Loss template: what was lost, when and where, and that she has not found it.
She brings it to a notary in Lipa unsigned, with her PRC ID. The notary checks her ID, asks if everything in the affidavit is true, and has her raise her right hand and swear. Rowena signs in front of the notary. The notary's part at the bottom begins "SUBSCRIBED AND SWORN to before me". That is a jurat. Because she swore to it, a knowingly false statement in it could be perjury (lying under oath).
The Special Power of Attorney (acknowledgment). Rowena's sister Joy works as a nurse in Riyadh and wants Rowena to process her Pag-IBIG housing loan papers. While on vacation in Lipa, Joy signs a Special Power of Attorney naming Rowena. Joy appears before the notary with her passport and says that she signed the SPA and that she did so freely. She is not swearing that every line in it is true; she is confirming the signature and the decision are hers. The notary's part begins "BEFORE ME ... personally appeared". That is an acknowledgment.
Both documents get the same kind of notary seal and the same doc, page and book numbers. What differs is what Rowena and Joy declared before the notary, and the words in the notary's certificate.
Jurat: You Swear That It Is True
Under Rule II, Sec. 6 of the 2004 Rules on Notarial Practice (A.M. No. 02-8-13-SC), a jurat is when you:
- appear in person before the notary with the document;
- are known to the notary or show accepted proof of who you are (competent evidence of identity, such as a government ID with your photo and signature);
- sign the document in front of the notary; and
- take an oath or affirmation (a solemn promise) that what the document says is true.
So do not sign an affidavit at home. Bring it complete but unsigned.
Acknowledgment: You Confirm You Signed It Freely
Under Rule II, Sec. 1, an acknowledgment is when you:
- appear in person before the notary with a document that is complete;
- are known to the notary or show accepted proof of who you are; and
- declare that you signed it of your own free will for the purposes stated in it. If you sign for someone else, such as a company, you also declare that you are allowed to.
The rule asks you to declare that the signature is yours, not to sign on the spot. Many notaries still prefer that you sign in front of them, and you must appear in person either way.
Which One Common Documents Use
| Document | Usually Notarized By |
|---|---|
| Affidavit of Loss | Jurat |
| Affidavit of Two Disinterested Persons, Affidavit of Support, Affidavit of No Income | Jurat |
| Judicial Affidavit, verification of a complaint | Jurat |
| Special Power of Attorney, General Power of Attorney | Acknowledgment |
| Deed of Absolute Sale, Deed of Donation | Acknowledgment |
| Contract of Lease, Extrajudicial Settlement, other contracts | Acknowledgment |
A simple test: if the paper says "I, ..., after being sworn, depose and say", it is a sworn statement and needs a jurat. If it is an agreement or gives someone authority, it needs an acknowledgment. If the office receiving it asks for a particular form, follow the office.
For the full rules and the list of accepted IDs, see the two kinds of notarization.
What Stays the Same for Both
- You must be there. A notary may not notarize if you are not personally present (Rule IV, Sec. 2(b)). See how to spot a fake notary.
- No blanks. A notary may not notarize a blank or incomplete document (Rule IV, Sec. 6).
- It goes in the record book. Every jurat and acknowledgment is entered in the notary's notarial register, and you sign it. See what the notarial register is.
- A valid ID. At least one current government ID with your photo and signature, or credible witnesses who know you (Rule II, Sec. 12, as amended in 2008).
Common Questions
Pwede Ko bang Pirmahan na sa Bahay ang Affidavit Bago Dalhin sa Notary?
Better not. An affidavit is notarized by jurat, and Rule II, Sec. 6 of the 2004 Rules on Notarial Practice says you sign it in front of the notary. Bring it complete and unsigned.
My Affidavit Was Notarized as an Acknowledgment. Is That a Problem?
An affidavit is a sworn statement, so it calls for a jurat. Some offices reject an affidavit with an acknowledgment certificate. If yours is rejected, have it notarized again with a jurat.
Does the Person Named in My SPA Need to Come to the Notary?
No. Only the person giving the authority, who signs the SPA, must appear (Rule IV, Sec. 2(b)). The person named (the attorney-in-fact) does not sign it unless the document asks them to accept.
Is the Notary Fee Different for a Jurat and an Acknowledgment?
Often, yes. Affidavits are usually priced per document, while deeds are often priced by the value involved. See what notaries usually charge for an affidavit and for a Special Power of Attorney.
Not legal advice. This is general information. For advice on your own situation, consult a lawyer. If you cannot afford one, the Public Attorney's Office (PAO) or an IBP legal aid office may help for free.
Government fees, rules and requirements change, so always check with the office concerned before you go. This page explains the general rules; it cannot tell you how they apply to your own family or case. Last reviewed October 8, 2026.