We’ve all been there. You pull out a jurat, the signer looks at you, and suddenly everyone’s uncomfortable. Do they raise their hand? Do you? Do you just mumble something and hope for the best?

Here’s the deal: your job is to make oaths and affirmations smooth, professional, and stress-free. No awkward pauses. No uncertainty. You set the tone.

Here’s a clean, confident script that works every time.

For an oath:
“Do you solemnly swear that the statements in this document are true to the best of your knowledge and belief?”

For an affirmation (no religious reference):
“Do you affirm that the statements in this document are true to the best of your knowledge and belief?”

Simple. Clear. Respectful.

Now for the pro tip most notaries overlook: body language matters. Sit upright. Make eye contact. Deliver the oath clearly and calmly. You do not need theatrics. Some signers will naturally raise their right hand. Others will not. That is fine. What matters is that they respond affirmatively with “yes” or “I do.”

👉 Takeaway: You set the tone. If you are awkward, the signer will be awkward. If you are calm and confident, the signer will feel respected, informed, and safe.

At Notary Academy, we train notaries to administer oaths with confidence and professionalism, not guesswork. Jurats are not moments to improvise. They are legal acts that deserve clarity and authority.

When you handle oaths correctly, you protect the signer, the document, and yourself.

And that confidence shows.