• Identification documents issued by any state within the United States, U.S. federal government or foreign government that contain a photograph, a physical description and the bearer’s signature, such as:
• Driver’s license 
• Valid passport that any nation issues
• Oath or affirmation of a credible person who is personally known to the notary and who also personally knows the individual

• Driver’s privilege card
• Birth certificate
• Marriage license
• Social Security card
• Credit cards
• School IDs
• Library cards
• Temporary driver’s licenses

• In addition to a valid identification, make sure you have the original, complete document that needs notarization. Photocopies or incomplete documents may not be accepted.

• Depending on the type of document and the specific requirements of your jurisdiction, you may need to have supporting documents or forms related to the notarization. For example, a power of attorney document may require additional forms.

• Some documents, like wills or deeds, may require witnesses in addition to notarization. Be sure to check the requirements in your jurisdiction and have the appropriate number of witnesses present, if needed.

• Be prepared to pay the notary fee and inquire about the accepted payment methods in advance.

• Be sure that your document is fully filled out — any blanks or missing information may lead to rejection.

• Verify that the names on your identification and the document match exactly, and present legal documents for name changes, if needed.

• Avoid using correction fluid or crossing out errors on the document.

      *NOTE: If the signer is mentally incapacitated or otherwise does not understand the implications of the document, then the notary public cannot sign it.

Forms can be found and printed at notary.utah.gov/resources/ (the Office of the Utah Lieutenant Governor.)  Your notary public will usually have extra copies of these forms available, however, it is considered the unauthorized practice of law for a non-attorney notary public to advise a signer regarding which notarization certificate form is required for a document.

An acknowledgement and jurat serve different purposes and each requires its own specific language. A notary public can explain the difference between an acknowledgement and a jurat so that the signer can make the decision. If the signer is still unsure, the signer should contact the agency that issued the document or that will receive the document and ask for instructions.