Key Takeaways
- Oaths require the person to swear on penalty of perjury - creating legal accountability
- Affirmations are the non-religious alternative with identical legal effect
- A jurat combines an oath/affirmation with witnessing the signature
- The notary must administer the oath verbally - it cannot be implied
- Oaths cannot be administered remotely (phone) for traditional notarizations
Last updated: January 2026
Oaths, Affirmations, and Jurats
Understanding these three related concepts is critical for the Oregon notary exam.
Oath Administration
An oath is a solemn verbal declaration made under penalty of perjury. The notary must:
- Administer the oath verbally - Cannot be implied
- Have the person raise their hand (traditional, not required)
- Ask the oath-taker to swear to the truthfulness
- Reference a Supreme Being (e.g., "so help you God")
Sample Oath Language:
"Do you solemnly swear that the statements in this document are true, so help you God?"
Affirmation Administration
An affirmation is the secular alternative to an oath:
- No religious reference
- Same legal effect as an oath
- Same perjury exposure for false statements
- Must be offered when person objects to oath
Sample Affirmation Language:
"Do you solemnly affirm, under penalty of perjury, that the statements in this document are true?"
Comparing Oaths and Affirmations
| Element | Oath | Affirmation |
|---|---|---|
| Religious reference | Yes | No |
| Legal effect | Binding | Binding |
| Perjury exposure | Yes | Yes |
| Personal appearance | Required | Required |
| Verbal administration | Required | Required |
The Jurat (Verification on Oath)
A jurat is a notarial act that combines:
- The signer taking an oath or affirmation about document truthfulness
- The signer signing the document in the notary's presence
Key Requirements:
| Requirement | For Jurat | For Acknowledgment |
|---|---|---|
| Personal appearance | Required | Required |
| Identity verification | Required | Required |
| Signing in notary's presence | Required | Not required |
| Oath/affirmation | Required | Not required |
| Signer swears to truth | Required | Not required |
When to Use Each
| Document Type | Typical Notarial Act |
|---|---|
| Deeds, mortgages | Acknowledgment |
| Affidavits | Jurat |
| Sworn statements | Jurat |
| Powers of attorney | Acknowledgment |
| Depositions | Oath/Jurat |
| Court documents | Varies - read carefully |
Common Mistakes
Do NOT:
- Administer oaths over the telephone
- Skip the verbal oath for a jurat
- Assume all documents need jurats (many need acknowledgments)
- Refuse to offer an affirmation alternative
On the Exam
- Verbal requirement: Oaths must be spoken, not implied
- Jurat = oath + witnessed signature
- Affirmation available: Must offer when person objects
- No telephone oaths: Personal appearance required
Test Your Knowledge
What distinguishes a jurat from an acknowledgment?
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B
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D
Test Your Knowledge
A person appearing before you objects to taking an oath for religious reasons. What should you do?
A
B
C
D