Last reviewed September 19, 2026. Official North Carolina sources are linked below.
Acknowledgment versus jurat
For an acknowledgment, the signer may acknowledge to the notary that a signature on the record is the signer's signature. That can include a signature made before the notary visit when the legal requirements for an acknowledgment are otherwise satisfied.
A jurat is different. It involves an oath or affirmation and the signing requirements associated with that act. This is why a universal instruction to “always sign before” or “never sign before” is not accurate.
What should you do?
If the document clearly tells you when and where to sign, follow those instructions. If it does not, ask the document recipient, attorney, title company, agency, or other responsible party what notarial act is required. A non-attorney notary cannot choose the legal act for you when the record does not indicate it.
See N.C.G.S. § 10B-3 definitions ↗
Bring the complete document either way
Even when a signature already exists, bring the complete record and valid identification so the commissioned notary can review the requested act.