Definition

Noun: * A public officer, often a lawyer, who is legally authorized to perform specific formal acts related to the authentication of documents. These acts include witnessing signatures, administering oaths, certifying copies of documents, and taking affidavits or depositions. The primary function is to verify the identity of the signer and to deter fraud, thereby making documents suitable for use in official or legal contexts.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Before we could submit the property deed, we had to have it signed in the presence of a notary public.
  • The bank requires this authorization form to be stamped and signed by a notary public.
  • She works as a notary public, certifying dozens of documents each week for clients.

Advanced Usage

• "To have a document notarized": This is the common phrase describing the action performed by a notary public. It means to have a document officially certified by a notary.
  • The contract is not valid until it is notarized.

Variants and Related Words

• Notary (n): A common shortened form of "notary public." The terms are generally interchangeable in everyday use.
  • I need to find a notary to witness this signature.
• Notarization (n): The act or process of certifying a document by a notary public.
  • The notarization of the will was completed yesterday.
• Notarial (adj): Pertaining to a notary or their official acts.
  • The document requires a notarial seal.

Synonyms

• Public notary: A formal synonym.
• Commissioned officer (in this specific legal context): Emphasizes the state-granted authority.
• Authenticating officer: Describes the core function of verifying authenticity.

Related Phrases

• Notary seal / stamp: The official embossing or inked stamp a notary uses to certify a document.
  • The application was rejected because it lacked the official notary seal.
• Journal of notarial acts: The official record book a notary is often required to maintain, detailing each notarization performed.

Noun

1. someone legally empowered to witness signatures and certify a document's validity and to take depositions