Published by JJLBS Remote Closing Services

If you’ve ever needed a document notarized, you’ve probably focused on finding a notary and scheduling an appointment. But there’s another important part of the process that many people don’t think about until they’re sitting in front of the notary:

Which notarial certificate does my document require?

It’s one of the most frequently asked questions we receive, and it’s also one of the most misunderstood aspects of notarization.

To help our clients prepare for their appointments, JJLBS Remote Closing Services now offers a downloadable library of commonly used Virginia notarial certificates in both Microsoft Word (.docx) and Adobe PDF (.pdf) formats. Before downloading one, however, it’s important to understand what these certificates are—and why selecting the correct one is ultimately your responsibility.

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What Is a Notarial Certificate?

A notarial certificate is the section of a document completed by the Notary Public after performing a notarial act. It records the facts surrounding the notarization, including:

• The date of the notarization
• The jurisdiction where the act occurred
• The type of notarial act performed
• The identity of the signer
• The notary’s signature and official seal
• Other information required by applicable law

If your document does not already contain a notarial certificate, you may need to attach a separate one before the notarization can be completed.

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Download Virginia Notarial Certificates Anytime

To make the process more convenient, we’ve created a downloadable collection of Virginia notarial certificates that are available individually in both Word and PDF formats.

Our library includes:

• Individual Acknowledgment
• Corporate Acknowledgment
• Partnership Acknowledgment
• Attorney-in-Fact Acknowledgment
• Trustee Acknowledgment
• Personal Representative Acknowledgment
• Public Officer Acknowledgment
• Jurat (Oath or Affirmation)
• General Oath or Affirmation
• Electronic Document Copy Certification

Whether you’re preparing documents in advance or have been instructed to attach a certificate, these downloadable forms can help you get ready before your appointment.

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Why Can’t the Notary Tell Me Which Certificate to Use?

This is perhaps the most important question of all.

Many clients assume that because a Notary Public performs notarizations, the notary can also determine which certificate belongs on a document.

In reality, a Virginia Notary Public must remain impartial and cannot decide which notarial act is appropriate for your document.

Choosing between an acknowledgment, a jurat, an oath, or another type of notarial act may require interpreting the legal purpose of the document. Making that determination for someone else can cross into giving legal advice or engaging in the unauthorized practice of law—something a notary who is not acting as an attorney must avoid.

For that reason, your notary cannot recommend or select the certificate that best fits your situation.

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What Your Notary Can Do

Although a notary cannot choose the certificate for you, they can still provide valuable assistance.

Your notary can:

• Provide a selection of commonly used Virginia notarial certificates.
• Explain the general purpose of each type of notarial act.
• Answer questions about the notarization process.
• Perform the notarial act you identify or that has been specified by the document preparer or requesting organization.
• Help ensure the certificate is completed correctly once the appropriate notarial act has been identified.

This approach helps maintain the notary’s neutrality while ensuring your notarization is performed professionally and in compliance with Virginia law.

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Who Should Decide Which Certificate Is Needed?

If your document does not specify the notarial act, the decision should come from someone authorized to make it, such as:

• The attorney who prepared the document.
• The lender or mortgage company.
• The title or escrow company.
• The government agency requesting the document.
• The organization that supplied the paperwork.
• The document preparer.
• You, if you know which notarial act your document requires.

If none of these sources can identify the appropriate certificate, the next step is to seek competent legal advice before proceeding.

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Never Guess

Choosing the wrong notarial certificate can create unnecessary delays, require documents to be re-signed, or result in the receiving organization rejecting the paperwork.

Taking a few extra minutes to confirm the correct certificate before your appointment can save significant time and frustration later.

When in doubt, ask the person or organization that requested the notarization. They are generally in the best position to tell you which notarial act your document requires.

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Our Commitment to You

At JJLBS Remote Closing Services, we believe that informed clients have better notarization experiences.

That’s why we’ve made our Virginia notarial certificate library available in both Word and PDF formats—to give clients convenient access to commonly used certificates while respecting the legal and ethical responsibilities of a Virginia Notary Public.

Our commitment is to provide professional, impartial, and accurate notarial services while helping every client navigate the process with confidence.

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Ready to Schedule Your Appointment?

Whether you need a Remote Online Notarization, loan signing, estate planning document notarized, or another authorized notarial act, JJLBS Remote Closing Services is here to help.

JJLBS Remote Closing Services
Lawanda Boddie-Slack
Virginia Traditional & Electronic Notary Public
Certified Remote Online Notary (RON)

📞 Phone: (252) 679-9394
💬 Direct Text: (252) 801-3290
📧 Email: owner@jjlbsllc.blog
🌐 Website: www.jjlbsremoteclosingservices.com

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