This page shows official legal definitions of “notary public” from courts and ministries of justice in multiple countries. Definitions are listed in order of reading level to help with both basic understanding and deeper context.
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A person authorised to witness the signing of documents (such as a Justice of the Peace).
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In many Latin American countries, the term “notario público” (which is Spanish for “notary public”) means something different from what it means in the United States. In many Spanish-speaking nations, “notarios” are powerful attorneys with special legal credentials. In the United States, however, notary publics are people appointed by state governments to witness the signing of important documents and administer oaths. A notario público is not authorized to provide any legal services related to immigration. Only an attorney or an accredited representative working for a Department of Justice-recognized organization can give legal advice.
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A legal practitioner, usually a solicitor, who witnesses the signing of documents or makes copies of them in order to verify their authenticity, especially for use abroad.
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