Mobile Notary · Acknowledgments & jurats
Mobile Notary for Legal Documents
This page explains the notarial acts Tennessee notaries perform most for legal paperwork, acknowledgments and jurats, the documents they cover, and what to expect when a DFS notary handles them.
What the DFS notary does
Acknowledgments versus jurats, what a notary may do, and the limits on drafting and legal advice.
- Verifies identityChecks acceptable identification for each signer who appears in person.
- Performs acknowledgmentsConfirms the signer appeared and acknowledged signing the document.
- Administers oaths for juratsPlaces the signer under oath or affirmation and witnesses the signature.
- Completes the certificateFills in, signs and seals the notarial certificate on the document.
- Covers the full rangeAny document a Tennessee notary may lawfully notarize: affidavits, powers of attorney, deeds and other real-estate documents, vehicle and title paperwork, consent forms and business documents.
Which certificate does your document need?
Many documents arrive with a notary block already printed. Others are left blank, and the signer is unsure whether to swear to the contents or simply confirm the signature.
The choice matters, and it belongs to the person or attorney who prepared the document. Knowing the difference helps you ask the right question before the notary arrives.
Acknowledgment vs. jurat
| Acknowledgment | Jurat | |
|---|---|---|
| What it confirms | The signer appeared and acknowledged the signature | The signer swore or affirmed the contents are true |
| Oath given | No | Yes |
| Signing | May be signed beforehand, then acknowledged | Signed in the notary's presence |
| Typical use | Instruments and agreements | Affidavits and sworn statements |
From document to notarized original
- Identify the actConfirm with whoever prepared the document whether it needs an acknowledgment or a jurat.
- Leave it unsignedBring the document unsigned, since a jurat signature must be made in the notary's presence.
- Appear and signThe signer presents ID, takes the oath if required and signs before the notary.
What a notary cannot do
Notaries are not lawyers, and DFS does not prepare legal documents.
- No legal advice, including which certificate to use or what the document means, and no drafting or filling in substantive content.
- No notarization of an incomplete document, or of a document in which the notary has an interest.
- No certified copies of vital records such as birth or death certificates.
- No remote online notarization. Apostilles are issued by the Tennessee Secretary of State, not by notaries.
Questions about notarizing legal documents
Can the notary tell me whether I need a jurat?
No. That is a legal decision for the person who prepared the document or your attorney. The notary will perform whichever act the document calls for.
Does notarization make a document legally valid?
Notarization confirms identity and, for a jurat, that an oath was taken. It does not verify the document's contents or legal effect.
Can I fix a mistake in the document during the visit?
Substantive changes should be made by the document's preparer before the visit. The notary cannot edit content for you.
Can the notary certify a copy of a birth certificate?
No. Certified copies of vital records come from the issuing government office, not a notary.
Guides on this topic
Longer answers from the DFS Guides & FAQ.
Related services
Next steps and alternatives that often go with this work.
Reviewed October 2026 by Delator Field Services. General information, not legal advice.
Tell DFS what the matter needs
Call, text or email with the task, the county and any deadline. You will get a plain answer on scope and cost before work begins.
Questions first? Call or text (629) 310-8667 or email contact@delatorgroup.com.