Definition

1. Verb:
   • To authenticate or certify (a document, signature, or transaction) officially by a notary public: A notary public is a public officer authorized to perform this act, which involves verifying the identity of the signer and witnessing the signing to prevent fraud.

Usage

• The verb "notarize" is used when a document requires formal legal authentication. The notary public does not verify the content's truthfulness, but rather the identity of the person signing and their willingness to sign.
• Common grammatical structure: to have something notarized.
• It is a transitive verb, requiring a direct object (e.g., a document, a signature, a statement).

Examples

• Verb:
  • Before submitting the legal affidavit, she had to notarize it at the bank.
  • The contract will not be valid until you notarize your signature.
  • We had the deed notarized yesterday to complete the property transfer.

Advanced Usage

• "To be notarized" (passive voice): Describes the state of a document after the process.
  • The power of attorney must be notarized to be legally effective.
• Notarizing agent: Refers to the notary public performing the action.
  • The notarizing agent confirmed my identity before stamping the document.

Variants and Related Words

• Notarization (noun): The act or process of notarizing.
  • The notarization of the will took only a few minutes.
• Notary / Notary Public (noun): The authorized official who performs the notarization.
  • You can find a notary at most post offices or law firms.

Synonyms

• Authenticate: To prove or serve as proof that something is genuine.
• Certify: To confirm or attest to something, often in writing.
• Witness (in a legal context): To sign a document as an official witness to its execution.

Related Phrases

• To have a document notarized: The most common phrase describing the action.
  • Remember to have the agreement notarized before the deadline.
• Notarized copy: An officially certified copy of a document.
  • The university requires a notarized copy of your diploma.

Verb

1. authenticate as a notary
   • We had to have the signature notarized