Every notarization ends with a notarial certificate: the wording the notary completes, signs and seals to state what happened. Massachusetts sets out the standard wording in the statute itself. This guide gives the official Massachusetts acknowledgment, jurat, signature witnessing and copy certification forms, explains the "notary block" under the signature, and covers when other wording is allowed.
What a notarial certificate is
M.G.L. c. 222 § 1 defines the notarial certificate as the part of, or attachment to, a notarized document that the notary completes, that bears the notary's signature and seal, and that states the venue, date and facts the notary is attesting. In practice the certificate usually opens with a venue line such as "Commonwealth of Massachusetts, County of ______" and is followed by the wording for the specific notarial act.
The forms below come from c. 222 § 15. The statute says the notary uses "substantially" this wording, so small formatting differences are fine as long as the substance is the same. Each form refers to the "preceding or attached document", which is why a certificate can sit at the end of the document or on an attached page.
Massachusetts acknowledgment form
An acknowledgment confirms that the signer appeared, was identified and declared that they signed voluntarily. It is the act most often used for deeds, powers of attorney and other documents that will be recorded or relied on by third parties. Section 15(b) gives this wording:
On this ____ day of ___________, 20__, before me, the undersigned notary public, ________________ (name of document signer) personally appeared, proved to me through satisfactory evidence of identification, which were ________________, to be the person whose name is signed on the preceding or attached document, and acknowledged to me that (he) (she) signed it voluntarily for its stated purpose.
(as partner for ____________, a partnership)
(as ____________ for ______________, a corporation or other entity)
(as attorney in fact for ________________, the principal)
(as ___________ for _______________, (a) (the) ________________)________________ (official signature and seal of notary public)
The bracketed "as partner for", "as attorney in fact for" and similar lines are used only when the person signs in a representative capacity; the statute adds that the signature is then the voluntary act of the partnership, entity or principal. Strike or omit the lines that do not apply. With an acknowledgment the document may already be signed when the signer arrives; what matters is that the signer appears in person and acknowledges the signature.
Massachusetts jurat form
A jurat is used for affidavits and other sworn or affirmed statements. The signer must sign in the notary's presence and swear or affirm that the contents are true. Section 15(c) gives this wording:
On this ____ day of ___________, 20__, before me, the undersigned notary public, ________________ (name of document signer) personally appeared, proved to me through satisfactory evidence of identification, which were ________________, to be the person who signed the preceding or attached document in my presence and who swore or affirmed to me that the contents of the document are truthful and accurate to the best of (his) (her) knowledge and belief.
________________ (official signature and seal of notary public)
The notary administers the oath or affirmation out loud before the signature. A signer may choose an affirmation instead of an oath.
Signature witnessing form
Signature witnessing confirms only that the identified person signed in front of the notary, without an oath. Section 15(d) gives this wording:
On this ____ day of ___________, 20__, before me, the undersigned notary public, ________________ (name of document signer) personally appeared, proved to me through satisfactory evidence of identification, which were ________________, to be the person whose name is signed on the preceding or attached document in my presence.
________________ (official signature and seal of notary public)
Copy certification form
A Massachusetts notary can certify that a copy is a true copy of a document presented to them. Section 15(e) gives this wording:
On this ____ day of ___________, 20__, I certify that the (preceding) (following) (attached) document is a true, exact, complete and unaltered copy made by me of ________________ (description of the document), presented to me by ________________.
________________ (official signature and seal of notary public)
Note the words "made by me": the notary makes the copy. Some documents, such as vital records, are issued as certified copies only by the agency that holds them, so check what the recipient will accept before you book.
The notary block: signature, printed name and expiration date
Under the certificate wording goes what many people call the notary block. Section 8 requires that, when taking an acknowledgment or administering an oath for a document filed in court, the notary prints or types their name directly below their signature and adds the commission expiration date in the words "My commission expires". A typical block looks like this:
________________
Notary Public
[Printed name exactly as commissioned]
My commission expires: [date]
[Official seal]
The seal must be applied as well. Its required contents (your name as commissioned, "notary public", "Commonwealth of Massachusetts" or "Massachusetts", the expiration date and a facsimile of the state seal, in black ink) are covered in our notary seal and stamp guide.
Which certificate should be used?
Most documents arrive with the certificate wording already printed, usually chosen by the attorney, lender, agency or court that prepared or will receive the document. If there is no wording, the signer should ask whoever prepared or will receive the document which notarial act they need. Choosing between an acknowledgment and a jurat can affect the legal effect of a document, and a notary who is not an attorney must not give legal advice or steer someone into or out of a transaction (§ 16(c)).
A quick way to tell them apart:
- Acknowledgment: "I signed this voluntarily." No oath; the document may be signed beforehand.
- Jurat: "I swear or affirm this is true." Oath or affirmation, and signing in front of the notary.
- Signature witnessing: "I signed this in front of you." No oath.
- Copy certification: the notary certifies a copy they made themselves.
When other wording is allowed
Section 15(h) and (i) say a notary does not have to use the statutory forms when a different form is:
- Required or allowed by a court rule, court form or court directive, including the rules, forms and guidelines of the Land Court for documents filed there;
- Required by another general or special law, a federal law or a regulation under such a law; or
- An alternative form from another state, when the document will be filed or recorded in, or is governed by the laws of, that state.
The statute also allows the § 15 forms to be used in place of equivalent forms authorized by other laws, such as the forms under c. 183 § 42 for deeds, unless that law expressly prohibits other forms. Out-of-state wording on a document headed to another state is therefore usually fine; the notary still completes the venue as Massachusetts and uses their own Massachusetts notary block and seal.
Signing by mark, or when the signer cannot sign
Section 15 also covers two special situations:
- Signature by mark (§ 15(f)): the signer makes their mark in front of the notary and two witnesses who are unaffected by the document; both witnesses sign their names beside the mark; the notary then notarizes the signature by mark through an acknowledgment, jurat or signature witnessing.
- Signer physically unable to sign or make a mark (§ 15(g)): the signer may direct the notary to sign their name in the presence of two unaffected witnesses, if the notary has no compelling doubt about the signer's understanding and believes the signer is acting freely. The notary signs in front of the signer and witnesses, both witnesses sign beside the signature, and the notary writes below it: "Signature affixed by notary public in the presence of" followed by the names and addresses of the principal and the two witnesses, then completes an acknowledgment, jurat or signature witnessing.
These situations come up most often at hospital and nursing home visits. Our ID guide explains what identification the signer will need.
Common certificate mistakes to avoid
- Signing or sealing an incomplete certificate. Section 16(e) prohibits it. Fill in the date, the signer's name and the type of identification before you sign.
- Handing out pre-signed certificates. Section 16(f) prohibits giving a signed or sealed certificate to someone to be completed or attached outside your presence, with a narrow exception for attorneys holding a certificate in escrow in commercial, nonconsumer transactions.
- Notarizing a blank or incomplete document (§ 16(g)).
- Certifying facts you know or believe are false (§ 16(d)), such as a date other than the actual date of the notarization.
- Leaving out the printed name or expiration date under the signature (§ 8).
- Using the wrong act, such as an acknowledgment on an affidavit that calls for a sworn statement. When in doubt, the signer should check with whoever will receive the document.
Record every notarization in your journal as well; see our journal requirements guide.
Need a notary to complete a certificate for you? Search the directory. Are you a commissioned notary? List your notary services with Boston Notary Co.
FAQ
Where do I find the Massachusetts notary acknowledgment form?
The standard wording is in M.G.L. c. 222 § 15(b) and is reproduced above. Notaries use "substantially" that wording, and many documents already include an acknowledgment that follows it.
What is a notary block in Massachusetts?
The notary's signature, with the notary's name printed or typed directly below it and the words "My commission expires" followed by the date, plus the official seal. Section 8 requires the printed name and expiration date.
Can a Massachusetts notary use another state's certificate wording?
Yes, when the document will be filed or recorded in, or is governed by the laws of, that other state (§ 15(i)). The notary still uses their own Massachusetts venue, signature block and seal.
Can a notary attach a separate certificate page?
The statutory forms refer to the "preceding or attached document", so a certificate can be attached. It must be completed in the signer's presence and must not be signed or sealed while incomplete.
What is the difference between an acknowledgment and a jurat?
An acknowledgment confirms the signer signed voluntarily; no oath is given. A jurat requires the signer to sign in front of the notary and swear or affirm that the contents are true.
This guide from Boston Notary Co., a privately operated directory and not a government agency, is general information, not legal advice. The certificate wording is quoted from M.G.L. c. 222 § 15 as published by the Massachusetts Legislature; confirm current law with the official sources linked above.