As the signer, you must tell the Notary what type of notarization you need. Notaries can describe what the primary notarial acts are, but they cannot recommend one over another. It's illegal for a Notary Public to give advice like this unless they are also a licensed attorney.
Generally, notarizations come in three basic types:
- Acknowledgments — The purpose of an acknowledgment is to declare that you have willingly signed a document.
- Jurats — The purpose of a jurat is for you to swear or affirm that the contents of the document are true.
- Copy Certifications — The purpose of a certified copy is to have the Notary confirm that the copy is an exact match of the original. This is not allowed in all states.
If you're not sure what kind of notarization you need, contact the document drafter or receiving agency to confirm what notarial act they require before you visit the Notary. If in doubt, you may contact a lawyer for guidance.