What does a jurat signify in notarial practice?

A jurat signifies the part of a notarial act where the notary certifies that the signer has taken an oath or affirmation regarding the truthfulness of the content of a document, such as a sworn statement or affidavit. This notarial action is critical because it establishes that the signer is attesting to the authenticity of the statements made in the document under penalty of perjury. Typically, the jurat includes the date of the notarization, the notary's signature, and often a seal, which collectively confirm the legitimacy of the sworn statements made before the notary.

In contrast, other choices do not pertain to the definition or function of a jurat. A legal claim on property is unrelated to notarization, and a written rental agreement is a type of contract that wouldn’t normally feature a jurat. Verification of document signatures refers to the process of confirming that a signature matches a person's known signature, which serves a different purpose than the oath-taking aspect highlighted by a jurat.