In a written record, it is called a “verification on oath or affirmation,” or “verification of a statement on oath or affirmation.” The requirements for performing them are the same as an oral oath, or affirmation. All oaths and affirmations, even those that are only given orally, must be recorded in the notary’s journal. 

Acknowledgments do not involve any oath or affirmation. They do not say “subscribed and sworn to” or “affirmed” or make any other reference to an oath. Instead, they say “acknowledged before me” or at least contain the word “acknowledged” somewhere in the notarization. 

Required to identify the signer, ensure that they are the person named in the record, and verify the signature is theirs.

For many uses, a copy properly certified by a notary is as acceptable as the original of a document. Examples of notarized copies are: 

• Employment matters—e.g., diplomas, awards and honors, ratings; 

• Business affairs—e.g., licenses and permits, powers of attorney, contracts and agreements;

• Adoptions—e.g., home studies, financial statements, health assessments; 

• International travel—e.g., passports, drivers’ licenses, other documents for backup of originals.