GUIDE · UPDATED NOVEMBER 2026
Free Massachusetts Notary Certificate Forms
Fillable PDFs of the five Massachusetts short-form notarial certificates in M.G.L. c. 222, §15, each with a page of instructions. Free to download and use.
Download the certificates
Each PDF has fillable fields for the county, date, signer, identification and, where applicable, capacity, plus a second page explaining how to complete it. Print the certificate page and attach it to the document, or type into it before printing.
Acknowledgment (individual)
M.G.L. c. 222, §15(b). For a person signing for themselves: deeds, powers of attorney, trust documents, contracts and documents going abroad. Download the fillable PDF
Acknowledgment (representative capacity)
M.G.L. c. 222, §15(b). For partners, corporate officers, LLC managers, attorneys in fact, trustees, personal representatives and conservators. Download the fillable PDF
Jurat (oath or affirmation)
M.G.L. c. 222, §15(c). For affidavits and sworn statements signed in the notary's presence under oath or affirmation. Download the fillable PDF
Signature witnessing
M.G.L. c. 222, §15(d). For documents that ask only for a witnessed signature, without an oath or acknowledgment. Download the fillable PDF
Copy certification
M.G.L. c. 222, §15(e). For a copy the notary makes, or supervises, of an original such as a passport, license or diploma. Download the fillable PDF
What these forms are
Which certificate do you need?
| If the document… | Use |
|---|---|
| Will be recorded at the Registry of Deeds, or says "acknowledged" | Acknowledgment |
| Is signed for a company, trust, estate or another person | Acknowledgment (representative capacity) |
| Says "sworn," "under oath" or "affidavit" | Jurat |
| Asks only for a witnessed signature | Signature witnessing |
| Needs a notary to certify a copy of an original | Copy certification |
The signer or the receiving office decides which notarial act a document needs. A notary should not choose it for them, and these forms are not legal advice.
Tips for using a loose certificate
- Complete every blank, and strike the words in parentheses that do not apply.
- Use the county where the notarial act takes place, not where the signer lives.
- Attach the certificate securely to the document it relates to, and record the document title and page count in your journal.
- Never attach a certificate to a document the signer did not sign or present in your presence.
- If a court rule, a federal or state law, or another state's law prescribes its own certificate, use that form instead.
- For documents going abroad, a complete certificate is essential. Incomplete certificates are a common reason apostille requests are refused.
For Massachusetts notaries
Official sources
- M.G.L. c. 222, §15: notarial certificates
- Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth: apostilles and certifications
- Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth: notary public information
These forms are provided for reference and convenience. Notaries public are not attorneys and cannot give legal advice.
Frequently asked questions
Are these the official Massachusetts notary certificates?
They follow the statutory short forms in M.G.L. c. 222, §15, which Massachusetts notaries must use substantially as written. The state does not issue its own printable forms.
Are the forms free?
Yes. Download, fill in and print them as often as you need.
Can I use these forms for a document going to another state or country?
Usually, when the notarial act takes place in Massachusetts. If the receiving state or office prescribes its own certificate, use that form instead.
Which certificate does my document need?
The signer or the receiving office decides. A notary should not choose the type of notarial act for the signer.
Can a Massachusetts notary certify a copy of a passport?
Yes, with a copy certification for a copy the notary makes or supervises. See Certified Passport Copies.
Need a document notarized instead?
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