Contracts & Affidavit Notarization in Sacramento

Documents We Handle

• Affidavits — sworn written statements of fact
• Sworn statements
• Statutory declarations
• General contracts requiring notarization
• Settlement agreements
• Letters of authorization
• Financial affidavits
• Affidavit of heirship
• Affidavit of identity

What Is an Affidavit?

An affidavit is a written statement of facts that the signer swears or affirms is true — made under oath before a notary public. Affidavits are used in court proceedings, legal transactions, immigration applications, insurance claims, and many other situations requiring a sworn statement.

Common Types of Affidavits

There are many types of affidavits, each serving a specific purpose. Here are the ones we notarize most often in Sacramento:

Affidavit of Identity

Used when someone needs to legally verify who they are. These come up frequently in banking, insurance claims, and legal matters where identity confirmation is required beyond a standard ID check.

Affidavit of Heirship

Used in estate and probate situations to establish inheritance rights without going through formal probate court. This is common when transferring property or accessing bank accounts after the death of a family member.

Affidavit of Support (I-864)

Required for immigration sponsorship. The sponsor swears under oath that they can financially support the immigrant they are sponsoring. This form is a standard part of family-based green card applications.

Financial Affidavit

Required in divorce proceedings, child support cases, and other court matters where financial disclosure is needed. The signer swears their reported income, assets, and expenses are accurate.

Affidavit of Domicile

Establishes where a deceased person lived at the time of their death. This is often needed for estate settlement, transferring securities, or closing financial accounts.

General Affidavit / Sworn Statement

A catch-all for any situation that requires a sworn written statement of fact. If someone asks you to provide a “sworn statement” or “notarized letter,” this is typically what they mean.

Jurat vs. Acknowledgment — What’s the Difference?

If you’ve never had a document notarized before, you might hear the terms “jurat” and “acknowledgment” and wonder what they mean. They are two different types of notarization, and each serves a different purpose.

Jurat

With a jurat, the signer takes an oath or affirmation that the contents of the document are true and correct. The signer must sign the document in the presence of the notary. Jurats are used for affidavits, sworn statements, and any document where the signer is swearing to the truth of what’s written.

Acknowledgment

With an acknowledgment, the signer acknowledges that they signed the document willingly and that the signature is theirs. The notary does not require the signer to swear to the truth of the document’s contents. Acknowledgments are used for contracts, deeds, powers of attorney, and other documents where voluntary execution is what matters.

Your notary will know which type is required based on your document. Most documents include notarial language that specifies whether a jurat or acknowledgment is needed. If you’re unsure, bring the document to your appointment and we’ll take care of the rest.

What to Know Before Your Appointment

A little preparation helps your notary appointment go quickly and smoothly. Here’s what to keep in mind:

• Do not sign the document beforehand — the notary must witness your signature. If you’ve already signed, the notary cannot notarize it.
• Bring valid government-issued photo ID — California accepts a driver’s license, state ID card, U.S. passport, or military ID with photo and serial number.
• All signers must be present — every person whose signature is being notarized must appear in person before the notary at the appointment.
• The notary does not draft documents — have your attorney or the requesting party prepare the affidavit or contract before scheduling. We notarize documents; we do not create them.
• For affidavits: be prepared to take an oath — the notary will administer an oath or affirmation that the contents of the document are true. This is a legal requirement for jurat notarizations.

Notary Fees for Affidavits & Contracts

$15 per notarized signature (California state maximum) plus a travel fee starting at $50. Most affidavits require one or two notarized signatures. Call (916) 222-2251 for a quick quote.