Notary Definition and Legal Meaning

On this page, you'll find the legal definition and meaning of Notary, written in plain English, along with examples of how it is used.

What is Notary?

Someone having power to acknowledge the signature,verify the documents and its validity and take depositions.

History and Meaning of Notary

The term "Notary" derives from the Latin word "notarius" which means "scribe" or "secretary". The concept of notary originated in ancient Rome as a person who recorded the proceedings of the Roman Senate. In medieval Europe, a Notary was a highly regarded position that conferred official status and recognition in the community. Today, a Notary is a public official authorized by the government to witness the signing of legal documents and administer oaths.

A Notary's main duty is to act as an impartial witness to the signing of legal documents, such as affidavits, powers of attorney, wills, and contracts. They also authenticate the identity of the signers, certify the validity of the document, and keep a record of the transaction. Notaries are required to be knowledgeable in the law and must follow strict procedures to ensure the legality and authenticity of the document.

Examples of Notary

  1. Emily needs a Notary to verify the signatures on her mortgage agreement before she can finalize the purchase of her new house.

  2. John has to get a power of attorney notarized by a public Notary in order to allow his lawyer to represent him in court.

  3. Maria has to provide a notarized birth certificate as proof of identity for her passport application.

Legal Terms Similar to Notary

  1. Affidavit: A written statement made under oath that is notarized by a public Notary.

  2. Jurat: A type of notarization in which the signer swears to the truthfulness of the document's contents in the presence of a Notary.

  3. Authentication: The process of verifying the identity of a signer and certifying the validity of a document by affixing a seal or stamp.