Key Takeaways
- Maine notaries can perform acknowledgments, oaths/affirmations, jurats, copy certifications, and signature witnessing
- Each notarial act has specific requirements and purposes
- Personal appearance is always required for notarial acts
- The notary must properly identify the signer before performing any act
- Remote online notarization is permitted with prior Secretary of State approval
Last updated: January 2026
Types of Notarial Acts
Maine notaries are authorized to perform several types of notarial acts under the Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts (RULONA), which took effect July 1, 2023.
Authorized Notarial Acts
| Notarial Act | Primary Purpose | Signer Must Sign in Presence? |
|---|---|---|
| Acknowledgment | Confirm identity and voluntary signing | No (may sign before) |
| Oath/Affirmation | Administer spoken pledge of truthfulness | No |
| Jurat (Verification) | Certify signer swears to document truth | Yes |
| Copy Certification | Certify copy matches original | N/A |
| Signature Witnessing | Witness signature being made | Yes |
Universal Requirements
For ALL notarial acts:
- Personal appearance required (in-person or approved remote)
- Proper identification of the signer
- No disqualifying interest by the notary
- Certificate completion at time of act
When to Use Each Act
| Document Type | Typical Notarial Act |
|---|---|
| Contracts, deeds | Acknowledgment |
| Powers of attorney | Acknowledgment |
| Affidavits | Jurat (Verification) |
| Sworn statements | Jurat (Verification) |
| Applications | Jurat or Oath |
| Copy of passport/ID | Copy Certification (limited) |
| Depositions | Oath and Signature Witnessing |
On the Exam
Understand:
- Acknowledgment: Signer confirms signing voluntarily
- Jurat: Signer swears to truth AND signs in notary's presence
- Oath vs. Affirmation: Religious (God) vs. secular pledge
- Personal appearance: Always required
Test Your Knowledge
Which notarial act requires the signer to sign the document in the notary's presence?
A
B
C
D