Bankruptcy-Related Notary Services
Whether you’re filing under Chapter 7, Chapter 11, or Chapter 13, JJLBS Remote Closing Services provides professional Remote Online Notarization for many of the documents commonly associated with bankruptcy matters. From sworn affidavits and settlement agreements to loan modifications, business resolutions, powers of attorney, and real estate documents, we are committed to delivering secure, accurate, and convenient notarial services while remaining impartial and in compliance with Virginia law.
Located in Virginia and Certified to Perform Notarial Acts in All 50 States (where permitted by applicable law).
Notarization is not required for every bankruptcy filing. Most petitions, schedules, and statements are signed by the debtor under penalty of perjury and filed electronically without notarization. However, certain documents, affidavits, certifications, settlement agreements, powers of attorney, and real estate-related documents associated with bankruptcy may require or benefit from notarization, depending on the applicable law, court requirements, and the transaction.
Below is an overview organized by the most common bankruptcy chapters. If you are wanting to see what the forms associated with each chapter the links for each chapter will take you to The Bankruptcy Filing Guide published by The Greensboro Entrepreneur on Amazon.
Chapter 7 Bankruptcy (Liquidation)
Most Common Notarial Acts
1. Jurat (Most Common)
A jurat is used when the debtor or another person makes sworn factual statements.
Common examples include:
- Affidavit of Financial Hardship
- Affidavit Supporting Motion Practice
- Affidavit Regarding Assets
- Affidavit Regarding Property Ownership
- Affidavit Explaining Missing Records
- Affidavit of Identity
- Creditor Affidavits
- Witness Affidavits
2. Acknowledgment
Used when executing legal agreements.
Examples:
- Settlement Agreements
- Reaffirmation-related agreements when notarization is requested by a lender or state law (the Bankruptcy Code itself generally does not require notarization)
- Real Estate Transfers
- Deeds
- Assignment Agreements
- Release Agreements
3. Oath or Affirmation
May be used during:
- Depositions
- Sworn Testimony
- Bankruptcy Rule 2004 examinations
- Administrative proceedings
4. Certified Copies (Virginia)
Eligible business or personal records may be certified where Virginia law permits.
Examples:
- Financial Statements
- Business Records
- Contracts
- Insurance Policies
- Operating Agreements
Chapter 11 Bankruptcy
(Business Reorganization)
Chapter 11 typically involves corporations, LLCs, partnerships, and larger business reorganizations.
Common Notarial Acts
Acknowledgment
Frequently used with:
- Asset Purchase Agreements
- Sale Documents
- Financing Agreements
- Commercial Loan Documents
- Operating Agreements
- Amended Operating Agreements
- Corporate Resolutions
- LLC Member Consents
- Commercial Leases
- Settlement Agreements
Jurat
Used for sworn business statements.
Examples:
- Affidavits
- Financial Affidavits
- Business Valuation Statements
- Affidavits Supporting Motions
- Affidavits Regarding Assets
- Compliance Statements
Trustee Acknowledgment
Used when:
- Bankruptcy Trustee
- Liquidating Trustee
- Litigation Trustee
executes documents.
Personal Representative Acknowledgment
Occasionally used when an estate representative becomes involved.
Attorney-in-Fact Acknowledgment
When authorized agents execute documents under a valid Power of Attorney.
Chapter 13 Bankruptcy
(Individual Reorganization)
Chapter 13 debtors generally retain their property while repaying creditors under a court-approved plan.
Common Notarial Acts
Jurat
Frequently used with:
- Affidavits
- Financial Statements
- Affidavits Supporting Motions
- Hardship Affidavits
- Affidavits Regarding Income
- Affidavits Regarding Expenses
Acknowledgment
Commonly used with:
- Loan Modification Agreements
- Mortgage Documents
- Settlement Agreements
- Property Transfers
- Refinancing Documents
- Real Estate Transactions
- Consent Agreements
Oath or Affirmation
Used for:
- Depositions
- Sworn Testimony
- Bankruptcy Hearings
- Rule 2004 Examinations
Certified Copies (Virginia)
May include eligible copies of:
- Financial Records
- Tax Records
- Contracts
- Business Documents
- Insurance Documents
Bankruptcy Documents That Frequently Require Notarization
Examples include:
- Powers of Attorney
- Real Estate Deeds
- Loan Modification Agreements
- Settlement Agreements
- Asset Purchase Agreements
- Business Transfer Agreements
- Affidavits
- Sworn Declarations
- Corporate Resolutions
- Trustee Certifications
- Estate Planning Documents executed during the bankruptcy process
- Certain banking and financing documents requested by lenders
Documents Usually NOT Notarized
Most bankruptcy filings are signed under penalty of perjury rather than notarized.
Examples commonly include:
- Voluntary Petition
- Schedules
- Statement of Financial Affairs
- Chapter 13 Plan
- Means Test Forms
- Creditor Matrix
- Creditor Mailing Lists
- Monthly Operating Reports (unless a particular court or party requires otherwise)
- Various federal bankruptcy forms signed electronically
Always follow the requirements of the Bankruptcy Code, Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure, local bankruptcy rules, and any specific instructions from the court or trustee.
Common Documents by Chapter
| Chapter | Most Frequently Notarized Documents | Typical Notarial Act |
|---|---|---|
| Chapter 7 | Affidavits, settlement agreements, deeds, powers of attorney, reaffirmation-related documents when requested | Jurat, Acknowledgment |
| Chapter 11 | Corporate resolutions, financing agreements, asset sales, operating agreements, trustee documents, commercial real estate documents | Acknowledgment, Jurat, Trustee Acknowledgment |
| Chapter 13 | Loan modifications, settlement agreements, affidavits, refinancing documents, powers of attorney | Acknowledgment, Jurat |
Services JJLBS Remote Closing Services Can Provide
If you’re involved in a bankruptcy matter, JJLBS Remote Closing Services can assist with eligible notarial acts related to bankruptcy proceedings, including:
- Sworn affidavits and declarations
- Settlement and release agreements
- Loan modification and mortgage documents
- Real estate transfer documents
- Powers of attorney
- Corporate and LLC resolutions
- Trustee and authorized representative acknowledgments
- Certified copies of eligible original documents under Virginia law
- Remote Online Notarization for individuals and businesses throughout the United States (where permitted by law)
Important Notice
A Virginia Notary Public cannot:
- Provide legal advice regarding bankruptcy.
- Recommend whether to file under Chapter 7, 11, or 13.
- Prepare bankruptcy petitions or schedules unless separately authorized to do so.
- Choose the appropriate notarial certificate for a client.
- Advise whether a document should be filed with the bankruptcy court.
If you have questions about your bankruptcy rights, filing requirements, or the legal effect of a document, consult your bankruptcy attorney or another qualified legal professional before your notarization appointment.
JJLBS LLC Remote Closing and Notary Services 