Jurat vs. Oath — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on May 7, 2024
A jurat is a certification on an affidavit confirming when, where, and before whom it was sworn; an oath is a solemn promise about one's truthfulness or a commitment to a future action.
Difference Between Jurat and Oath
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
A jurat is specifically a part of notarial acts, used to certify that an individual has sworn to the truthfulness of the information in a document under penalty of perjury. In contrast, an oath is a broader term that can refer to any solemn promise, often used in legal, religious, or ceremonial contexts.
Jurat serves as a formal declaration to authenticate documents, primarily used in legal environments to ensure that statements or facts declared in written documents are true. Whereas, an oath may not necessarily be tied to documentation and can be verbal, focusing on the truthfulness or commitment of the speaker in various situations, including courtrooms or oath-taking ceremonies.
While a jurat is administered by a notary or a person legally authorized to take oaths, ensuring that the affiant acknowledges the document content as true, an oath can be administered by anyone authorized by law to do so, such as judges, certain government officials, or clergy, depending on the context.
Jurat always requires the presence of the signatory, who must sign the document in the presence of the notary after verbally affirming the truthfulness of the document's contents. On the other hand, an oath might be taken without any written document, simply as a verbal declaration of honesty or allegiance.
In terms of legal requirements, a jurat must include the date, location, and signature of the notary, confirming that the signatory appeared personally before the notary. Oaths, however, are more flexible and may not always require such specific formalities, depending on their purpose and the setting in which they are administered.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
A part of an affidavit indicating that the statement was sworn before a notary.
A solemn promise regarding one's future actions or the truthfulness of one's statements.
Use in documents
Attached to documents to verify them legally.
Used both in and out of legal documents, often verbally.
Administration
Administered by notaries or legal officials.
Can be administered by a wider range of authorities, including religious leaders.
Presence required
Yes, the signer must be physically present.
Not always; depends on the context.
Legal binding
Provides legal verification of a document's content.
Binds the individual to truthfulness or commitment under penalty of perjury or moral consequence.
Compare with Definitions
Jurat
A written statement on an affidavit, by the notary, to signify it was sworn before them.
The document had a jurat affixed at the bottom, indicating it was properly sworn.
Oath
A solemn promise about truthfulness or future actions.
He took an oath to perform his duties honestly.
Jurat
A clause stating the time and place of an oath.
The jurat confirmed that the oath was taken on March 3rd in the presence of a licensed notary.
Oath
Used in court to affirm the truthfulness of testimony.
The witness was administered an oath before testifying.
Jurat
A part of legal formalities in document authentication.
He signed the jurat to complete the verification process.
Oath
Often requires no documentation to be effective.
Her verbal oath was accepted by the officials.
Jurat
Used to authenticate statements to ensure they are made under oath.
Her affidavit was valid as it included a jurat.
Oath
Can be part of religious or ceremonial rites.
The oath of office was taken during the inauguration.
Jurat
A certification of presence and affirmation.
The notary added a jurat to verify my presence during the declaration.
Oath
Legally binds the individual to truthfulness.
Lying under oath is considered perjury.
Jurat
The jurats () are lay people in Guernsey and Jersey who act as judges of fact rather than law, though they preside over land conveyances and liquor licensing. In Alderney, however, the jurats are judges of both fact and law (assisted by their learned clerk) in both civil and criminal matters.
Oath
Traditionally an oath (from Anglo-Saxon āð, also called plight) is either a statement of fact or a promise with wording relating to something considered sacred as a sign of verity. A common legal substitute for those who conscientiously object to making sacred oaths is to give an affirmation instead.
Jurat
A clause attached to an affidavit, in which a notary or legally authorized officer attests to the fact that the affidavit was made under oath.
Oath
A solemn promise, often invoking a divine witness, regarding one's future action or behaviour
They took an oath of allegiance to the king
Jurat
(legal) A sworn statement concerning where, when, and before whom an oath has been made.
The affidavit's jurat reads "Sworn this __ day of ________, 20__, before me" and is followed by the notary's signature. Looks like she forgot to fill it in.
Oath
A profane or offensive expression used to express anger or other strong emotions
He exploded with a mouthful of oaths
He was muttering foul oaths
Jurat
A sworn person, particularly:
Oath
A solemn, formal declaration or promise to fulfill a pledge, often calling on God, a god, or a sacred object as witness.
Jurat
A medieval informant: a man sworn to provide information about crimes committed in his neighborhood.
Oath
The words or formula of such a declaration or promise.
Jurat
A juror.
Oath
Something declared or promised.
Jurat
A councilman or alderman of the Cinque Ports.
Oath
An irreverent or blasphemous use of the name of God or something held sacred.
Jurat
A magistrate of Channel Islands, serving for life, who forms part of the islands' royal court.
Guernsey and Jersey have twelve jurats each, and Alderney six.
Oath
An imprecation; a curse.
Jurat
(historical) A municipal officer of Bordeaux and certain other French towns.
Oath
A solemn pledge or promise that invokes a deity, a ruler, or another entity (not necessarily present) to attest the truth of a statement or sincerity of one's desire to fulfill a contract or promise.
Take an oath
Swear an oath
Break one's oath
Jurat
A member of any association sworn to do nothing against its internal rules.
Oath
A statement or promise which is strengthened (affirmed) by such a pledge.
After taking the oath of office, she became the country's forty-third premier.
The generals swore an oath of loyalty to the country.
Jurat
A person under oath; specifically, an officer of the nature of an alderman, in certain municipal corporations in England.
Oath
A light, irreverent or insulting appeal to a deity or other entity.
Jurat
The memorandum or certificate at the end of an asffidavit, or a bill or answer in chancery, showing when, before whom, and (in English practice), where, it was sworn or affirmed.
Oath
A curse, a curse word.
Oath
(archaic) To pledge.
Oath
A solemn affirmation or declaration, made with a reverent appeal to God for the truth of what is affirmed.
An oath of secrecy for the concealing of those [inventions] which we think fit to keep secret.
Oath
An appeal (in verification of a statement made) to a superior sanction, in such a form as exposes the party making the appeal to an indictment for perjury if the statement be false.
Oath
A careless and blasphemous use of the name of the divine Being, or anything divine or sacred, by way of appeal or as a profane exclamation or ejaculation; an expression of profane swearing.
Oath
Profane or obscene expression usually of surprise or anger;
Expletives were deleted
Oath
A commitment to tell the truth (especially in a court of law); to lie under oath is to become subject to prosecution for perjury
Oath
A solemn promise, usually invoking a divine witness, regarding your future acts or behavior;
They took an oath of allegience
Common Curiosities
Where is a jurat used?
Jurats are used in legal documents that require formal verification of their truthfulness through a notary.
How does an oath differ from a jurat?
An oath is a solemn promise about one's truthfulness or future actions, while a jurat is a specific part of a document indicating the document was sworn before a notary.
What happens if you break an oath?
Breaking an oath can lead to legal penalties such as charges of perjury, or moral or professional repercussions.
What does a jurat certify in a document?
A jurat certifies that the person signing the document did so under oath and that it was witnessed by a notary.
Is a jurat necessary for all legal documents?
No, a jurat is specifically necessary where the document needs a sworn statement verified by a notary.
Can a jurat be used outside of legal contexts?
Typically, a jurat is not used outside of legal contexts as its primary function is to certify legal documents.
What are common occasions for taking an oath?
Oaths are commonly taken during court proceedings, oath-taking ceremonies for office bearers, and various official functions.
What is a jurat?
A jurat is a certification on a document, typically an affidavit, that it has been sworn before a notary or other authorized official.
Can anyone administer an oath?
Oaths can be administered by any authorized official, which can include judges, clerks, or even clergy, depending on the context.
What is the penalty for lying under oath?
Lying under oath is considered perjury, which is a criminal offense and can result in fines or imprisonment.
Who can witness a jurat?
A jurat must be witnessed by a notary public or a legal official authorized to take oaths.
How does a jurat impact the validity of a document?
A jurat significantly enhances a document’s validity by legally affirming the truthfulness of its contents.
Is an oath always part of religious or government practices?
While often used in religious and governmental settings, oaths can also be part of personal commitments or other non-official practices.
Can a jurat be revoked?
Once a jurat is signed, it cannot be revoked; it permanently certifies that an affidavit was made under oath.
Does an oath need to be written?
No, oaths can be entirely verbal although they may also be part of written ceremonies or documents.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
