What if the document has no notarial certificate?

Short answer

The notary cannot notarize without certificate wording, but the signer may choose an act, after which the notary attaches a compliant loose certificate.

Full explanation

A notarization consists of the act plus the written certificate that records it. When a document contains only a signature line and the word "Notary," there is nothing to complete. The signer selects the notarial act, and the notary attaches a separate certificate form — a loose certificate — that includes the venue, the date, the signer's name, the act performed, the notary's signature, and the seal. The loose certificate should be securely attached and should describe the document so it cannot be moved to another one.

Example

The notary attaches a jurat certificate that reads "…this 14th day of August, 2026, by Jane Doe, in connection with a 3-page Affidavit of Support dated August 14, 2026."

Common mistake to avoid

Never leave a loose certificate blank, undated, or unattached. Loose certificates are a known fraud vector.

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