Notarize an Affidavit Online

What is an affidavit?

An affidavit is a sworn written statement. The person making it — known as the affiant — confirms the truthfulness of the affidavit by swearing or affirming that its content is accurate. Affidavits are commonly used as evidence in court proceedings such as divorces, lawsuits, and bankruptcy cases, and in business transactions such as home purchases and mortgage refinancings.

Making the statement true "under oath" is what separates an affidavit from an ordinary signed letter. Before completing a jurat, the notary asks you to take an oath or an affirmation:

• An oath is a solemn pledge to a Supreme Being that the statements are true.
• An affirmation is a solemn pledge on your personal honor — for signers who prefer not to swear an oath.

The choice between an oath or affirmation is yours to make; both carry the same legal weight and the same exposure to perjury.

Jurat vs acknowledgment: which does an affidavit use?

Most affidavits use a jurat, but not all — affidavits do not always require a jurat, and some require an acknowledgment instead. The difference matters: a jurat is a sworn act, while an acknowledgment simply confirms you signed willingly. That is why other documents — unlike a power of attorney, which uses an acknowledgment — turn on which certificate the document carries.

You — not the notary — choose the notarial act. The notary may never select the act on your behalf, because doing so could be the unauthorized practice of law. Check your document's certificate wording, and if it isn't clear, get instructions from the court or agency before your session. For a plain-English breakdown of how the two certificates differ, read our guide to the jurat vs acknowledgment decision.

Affidavit vs sworn statement vs declaration

These terms overlap, but the legal mechanics differ. The key split is whether the statement is sworn before a notary or made under penalty of perjury without one.

• Affidavit / sworn statement. A written statement sworn before a notary, who administers an oath and completes a jurat. Depending on the jurisdiction, a jurat may also be called an affidavit or a verification on oath — the terms describe the same sworn act.
• Declaration. An unsworn statement signed under penalty of perjury, with no notary. It is valid only where the law allows it — for example, federally under 28 U.S.C. 1746, or in New York civil actions under CPLR 2106.

Practical rule: if your document carries a jurat certificate or the receiving party asks for a "notarized affidavit," you need a notary. If it says "I declare under penalty of perjury" and the governing rule permits a declaration, you may not.

How online affidavit notarization works

Online, the jurat oath is administered over a live, two-way video session that is recorded and retained — the same legal act as an in-person jurat, just conducted remotely.

1. 1

   Upload your affidavit and start a session — no appointment or travel needed.

2. 2

   Verify your identity with a government-issued photo ID and knowledge-based questions.

3. 3

   Meet a commissioned notary over live video. The notary administers your oath or affirmation, and you swear the statements are true and sign in the notary's presence.

4. 4

   The notary completes the jurat, applies the electronic seal, and you download the finished affidavit right away.

Want to be sure it's permitted where you are? Check whether online notarization is legal in your state.

How to prepare for your online affidavit session

A few minutes of preparation keeps your session inside the 15–30 minute window. The notary is a ministerial officer — anything about the affidavit's content has to be settled before you connect, because the notary cannot draft, correct, or advise on your statements.

1. 1

   Finalize the affidavit's contents. Every factual statement, name, and date should be complete — the notary cannot fix errors during the session.

2. 2

   Leave the signature line blank. A jurat requires you to sign in the notary's presence, so do not sign the affidavit in advance.

3. 3

   Confirm which certificate your form carries. Most affidavits use a jurat, some use an acknowledgment — and the notary may not choose for you. If the wording is unclear, ask the court or agency receiving the document before your session.

4. 4

   Have your government-issued photo ID ready. Identity verification runs against your ID plus knowledge-based questions before the notary joins.

5. 5

   Test your camera, microphone, and connection. The oath is administered over live two-way video, so both sides must see and hear each other throughout.

6. 6

   Line up witnesses if your form has witness lines. Remote witnesses are supported where state law and the document's rules permit them — see the next section.

Want the full walkthrough — certificate wording, what the notary says during the oath, and what happens after? Read our step-by-step guide to notarizing an affidavit.

Will courts and agencies accept an online-notarized affidavit?

Remote notarization is now the norm, not the exception: the National Association of Secretaries of State reports that 47 states and the District of Columbia have a law that allows for remote e-notarization. What governs your session is the law of the state where the notary is commissioned — which is why our remote online notarization service is available to signers in all 50 states even though commissioning rules differ state by state.

Acceptance, though, is always the receiving party's call. A court clerk, bank, or agency can set its own filing rules — digital vs paper, specific certificate wording, or an in-person requirement — and no notary can override them. Before your session, check the instructions on your form or ask the office that will receive the affidavit; if you want the state-level detail, see where online notarization is authorized.

Frequently Asked Questions