The notarial act
An affidavit commonly calls for a jurat.
Michigan defines a jurat as the notary’s certification that an identified signer voluntarily signed in the notary’s presence and took an oath or affirmation vouching for the truthfulness of the signed record. The Michigan Department of State’s notary manual describes jurats as the notarization used for affidavits and court pleadings.
A jurat does not prove that an affidavit is true, legally sufficient, valid, or enforceable. It documents the signer’s appearance, identification, oath or affirmation, and signature—not the legal quality of the statement.
Do not sign too early. Michigan requires the signer to sign a record being verified upon oath or affirmation in the notary’s presence. For a remote act, that presence occurs during the live approved-platform session.
Read Michigan’s jurat definitionRemote appearance
Online notarization keeps the essential steps.
Michigan permits an authorized notary to perform a notarial act through a state-approved remote electronic notarization platform. Lakebound uses BlueNotary. Kayse remains physically located in Michigan, while signer location and eligibility, governing law, platform support, and recipient requirements determine whether a particular request can proceed.
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01
Fit is confirmed
Lakebound reviews the requested notarial act, signer and witness locations, and whether the recipient accepts a remote electronic record.
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02
Identity is verified
The signer completes the platform’s identity-proofing and credential-analysis process required for a Michigan remote act.
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03
The oath and signature happen live
During two-way audio and video, Kayse administers the required oath or affirmation and the signer signs as directed.
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04
The notarial certificate is completed
Kayse completes the authorized notarial act electronically within the approved platform.
Appointment preparation
What to have ready.
The complete affidavit
Bring every page and attachment. Complete appropriate blanks, but leave the signature unsigned when a jurat requires signing live.
Supported identification
Have a current government-issued photo identification credential supported by the platform and be ready for identity verification.
Recipient instructions
Confirm the certificate, witnesses, filing format, and whether the recipient accepts remote notarization and an electronic record.
Also prepare a camera, microphone, stable internet connection, and a quiet space. See the full online appointment checklist.
Document fit
“Affidavit” does not automatically mean “remote-ready.”
An affidavit’s title does not settle every requirement. The law governing the document, court or agency rules, signer location, witness requirements, original-paper or recording rules, platform support, and the receiving party’s instructions can all affect remote availability.
Before scheduling, ask the intended recipient whether it accepts a remotely notarized electronic affidavit. If a court filing, government form, lender, title matter, or another transaction has special directions, follow those directions and share the nonprivate requirements with Lakebound.
Tell Lakebound where the signer will be physically located. A signer may sometimes participate from elsewhere, but applicable law, platform support, identification, and the recipient’s requirements must all allow the session.
Common delays
Pause and check before changing anything.
Already signed?Do not erase or re-sign on your own. Tell Lakebound before booking.
Certificate missing?Ask the issuer, recipient, or an attorney which act is required.
Witness line present?Confirm who may serve and whether remote participation is allowed.
Never send identification or private affidavit contents through ordinary email. Use the appointment form for basic details and the secure platform when instructed.
Notarial boundaries
The notary does not create or judge the affidavit.
Lakebound can perform an authorized notarial act when the request is eligible. It does not:
- write, prepare, complete, or revise an affidavit;
- advise what facts or statements belong in the document;
- choose a notarial certificate for the signer;
- decide whether witnesses are legally required; or
- guarantee the affidavit’s truth, legal sufficiency, filing, or acceptance.
Ask the issuer or recipient about document requirements. Consult a qualified attorney for legal advice.
Official sources
Michigan authority for affidavit notarization.
This overview is based on Michigan’s current statutes and Department of State guidance. Always check the rules and instructions that apply to the specific affidavit.
Michigan Legislature MCL 55.265: jurat and notarial-act definitions Michigan’s definition of a jurat, record, notarial act, and remote platform Michigan Legislature MCL 55.285: oath, presence, signature, and identity Requirements for verifications upon oath or affirmation and remote identity evidence Michigan Legislature MCL 55.286b: remote electronic notarization Approved-platform, communication, recording, and recordkeeping requirements Michigan Department of State Notary services and official notary manual State guidance on jurats, affidavits, identity, remote methods, and notarial limitsThis page provides general information about the notarial process. It is not legal advice.