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Oath Administration · Affidavits · Sworn Declarations

Oaths and affidavits. Administered with legal precision.

Massachusetts-commissioned notary public authorized under M.G.L. c. 222 §10 to administer oaths and affirmations. Affidavits, sworn declarations, depositions, oaths of office and business declarations. In-office and mobile across the Merrimack Valley.

M.G.L. c. 222 §10 authorized
Same-day available
English, Arabic and French
Oath Administration
Massachusetts Authority M.G.L. c. 222 §10
Commissioned notary · Since 2007
Affidavits and sworn statements
Oaths and affirmations
Oath of office administration
Business and financial declarations
Book Appointment
Oath Administration
1,190+
Signings Completed
4.9 ★
Average Rating
17+ Years
MA Commissioned
Same-Day
Available Most Days
3 Languages
English · Arabic · French
Understanding the Service

Three distinctions every signer should know.

Oath administration is one of the most legally specific notary services. Getting the certificate type wrong can invalidate the document. Here is what matters.

01 · Key Distinction

Oath vs. Affirmation

Oath

A formal declaration invoking a solemn promise of truthfulness — traditionally includes the phrase “so help me God” or equivalent. Standard for most legal proceedings.

Affirmation

Legally identical to an oath but without religious reference. Preferred by individuals who object to religious oaths on personal or conscience grounds. Massachusetts law treats both as equally binding.

02 · Most Important

Jurat vs. Acknowledgment

Jurat (sworn statement)

Notary administers oath AND witnesses the signing. Required for affidavits, sworn declarations and any document where the signer must swear truthfulness under penalty of perjury. This is what we do for oath administration.

Acknowledgment (no oath)

Signer acknowledges they voluntarily signed, but no oath is administered. Used for deeds, contracts and real estate documents — not for affidavits or sworn statements.

03 · Legal Basis

Massachusetts Authority

Grants Massachusetts-commissioned notaries the authority to administer oaths and affirmations in connection with any written instrument. This is the specific statutory power behind oath administration.

Massachusetts perjury statute. A false statement under an oath administered by a notary public carries the same criminal consequences as perjury before a court — up to 20 years imprisonment.

Common Use Cases

Six situations requiring sworn notarization.

Any document that must be signed under penalty of perjury requires a jurat — the notary administers an oath and witnesses the signing. These are the six we handle most.

Court affidavits

Sworn statements for civil, criminal, probate and family law matters at Middlesex Superior Court, Lowell District Court and other Massachusetts courts. Documents must comply with court-specific format requirements.

Immigration affidavits

USCIS affidavits, affidavits of support, sworn declarations of identity and relationship for immigration filings. Trilingual service in English, Arabic and French. See our Lowell immigration page.

Business declarations

Sworn corporate affidavits, financial declarations, verification of accounts, business formation statements and professional licensing verifications requiring notarized jurat certificates.

Oath of office

Formal oath administration for elected officials, appointed board and commission members, municipal employees and organizational officers. We travel to the ceremony location or administer at our Tewksbury office.

Real estate affidavits

RMV affidavits of correction, title affidavits, gap affidavits and other sworn real estate declarations. Commonly required by title companies alongside loan signing packages.

Estate affidavits

Sworn declarations for probate filings, affidavits of heirship, small estate affidavits and related estate administration documents. Often paired with our wills and trusts service.

How It Works

Five steps from document to sworn notarization.

Most oath administration appointments complete in 10 to 20 minutes. Bring all documents unsigned. The oath is administered and the signing witnessed by the notary.

01

Prepare your document

Have your affidavit or sworn statement fully prepared and complete. Leave the signature line blank. All fields must be filled before the appointment.

02

Book your appointment

Call 978-424-4629 or book online. Tell us the document type and whether you need in-office or mobile service. Same-day available most days.

03

Identity verified

Present a valid, unexpired government-issued photo ID. Name must match the document. We verify and record your identity per Massachusetts notary requirements.

04

Oath administered verbally

The notary verbally administers the oath or affirmation. You respond affirming the content of your document is true. This verbal exchange is legally required — it cannot be skipped.

05

Sign. Seal. Done.

You sign in the notary’s presence. We complete the jurat certificate, apply the Massachusetts notary seal. Your document is notarized and ready for filing.

The legal weight of a sworn statement

False statements under oath are perjury under M.G.L. c. 268 §1.

A sworn affidavit carries the same legal weight as sworn testimony in court. A false statement in an affidavit notarized by a Massachusetts notary is perjury — a felony punishable by up to 20 years imprisonment. This is why the oath is administered verbally before every signing. It is not a formality.

M.G.L. c. 268 §1
Perjury — up to 20 years
M.G.L. c. 268 §6A
False swearing
M.G.L. c. 222 §10
Notary oath authority
What to Bring

Three things. Nothing more needed.

Oath administration appointments are straightforward when you arrive prepared. Most take under 15 minutes.

Your document — completed and unsigned

All fields filled in, statement written, but signature line blank. You sign after taking the oath. A pre-signed affidavit cannot receive a jurat and must be redone.

Valid government-issued photo ID

Massachusetts driver’s license, state ID, US passport or military ID. Original, unexpired. Name must match the document exactly.

Payment

We accept credit card, debit card, Apple Pay, Zelle, PayPal and cash. See our pricing page for current rates or call for a quote.

The oral oath cannot be skipped. Massachusetts law requires the notary to verbally administer the oath or affirmation before the signing. If you have a time-sensitive court deadline, call ahead so we can ensure same-day availability and a clean execution without delays.
Service Areas

Oath administration across the Merrimack Valley.

In-office at 1215 Main St, Unit 115, Tewksbury, MA. Mobile to your home, office or courthouse vicinity across all of the following towns.

Outside these towns? Call 978-424-4629. We quote all locations individually.

Frequently Asked

Oath administration questions, answered.

What is the difference between a jurat and an acknowledgment?
A jurat requires the notary to administer an oath AND witness the signing — used for affidavits and sworn statements. An acknowledgment requires only that the signer acknowledge they voluntarily signed — used for deeds, contracts and real estate documents. The requesting court or agency determines which certificate type is required. If you are unsure, ask the party requesting the notarization before your appointment.
What is oath administration?
Oath administration is the process by which a Massachusetts-commissioned notary, authorized under M.G.L. c. 222 §10, verbally administers an oath or affirmation to a signer, witnesses their signature on the document and completes the jurat certificate confirming the swearing ceremony occurred. The verbal oath is a required step — it cannot be replaced by a written attestation alone.
Can I choose an affirmation instead of an oath?
Yes. Massachusetts law recognizes both oaths and affirmations as legally equivalent. An affirmation does not invoke a higher power and is preferred by individuals who object to religious oaths on personal grounds. Just let us know your preference when you book or at the start of the appointment.
Do I need to sign my affidavit before the appointment?
No. You must not sign before the appointment. A jurat requires the notary to witness the actual signing after administering the oath. A document signed before the appointment cannot receive a jurat and must be reprinted with a fresh signature line. Bring your document fully completed but unsigned.
Do you administer oaths of office?
Yes. We administer oaths of office for elected officials, appointed board and commission members, municipal employees and organizational officers. We can come to the ceremony location — town hall, a board room or any venue in the Merrimack Valley — or the oath can be administered at our Tewksbury office. Call 978-424-4629 to arrange the appointment.
Can you notarize affidavits for court filings?
Yes. We regularly notarize affidavits for civil, criminal, probate and family law matters filed with Middlesex Superior Court, Lowell District Court and other Massachusetts courts. Bring your prepared affidavit unsigned and confirm with your attorney that you have the correct form and jurat language required by that court.
Do you offer same-day oath administration?
Yes. Same-day in-office and mobile appointments are available most days. If you have a court deadline, call 978-424-4629 directly rather than booking online so we can prioritize your appointment and confirm same-day availability.
Related Services

Other notary services that pair with oath administration.

A note on legal advice. We are notary public experts authorized under Massachusetts law to administer oaths, witness signatures and certify documents. We do not draft legal documents, advise on legal strategy or interpret the legal requirements for specific courts or agencies. For questions about what type of affidavit or sworn statement your specific matter requires, consult a licensed Massachusetts attorney. Commission information from the Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth. See our Terms of Agreement.
Ready When You Are

Schedule your oath administration today.

Same-day in-office and mobile appointments across the Merrimack Valley. Court affidavits, immigration declarations, oaths of office and business statements. English, Arabic and French.

In-Office
Tewksbury, MA
Mobile
To your location
Same-Day
Available most days
3 Languages
EN · AR · FR
Since 2007
MA commissioned

1215 Main St, Unit 115, Tewksbury, MA 01876  |  info@tewksburynotary.com  |  Privacy Policy  |  Terms of Agreement