Administering Oaths For Jurats

Some signers may get a bit upset when asked to take the oath required for executing a jurat.  They might say they've done many notarizations, and nobody has ever required them to take an oath.  Don't argue with them or do anything to upset them even more; just politely tell them it's required by law in the state of California.  Usually (actually, always in my experience) they'll go ahead and take the oath, even if somewhat begrudgingly.

There are two main reasons people who've previously been notarized think there's no need for an oath: (1) their prior notarizations have been acknowledgements, which of course do not require an oath, or; (2) they've done jurats, but the notaries involved did not administer an oath, even though they're required to do so.

If you're a notary executing a jurat, please do yourself, your signers, and other notaries a favor by always administering an oath (or affirmation, as the case may be).  If you don't, the notarization can later be voided.  Remember: the oath is not optional, it's required by law.