Notary Exam Glossary
Master the terminology you need to pass your state notary public exam. Simple definitions for complex concepts.
Acknowledgment
A formal declaration before a Notary Public by a person signing a document that they are authorized and intended to do so freely.
Administrative Law
The rules and regulations created by state agencies (such as the Secretary of State) to govern the conduct of Notaries Public.
Affiant
The person who makes and signs a written statement under oath or affirmation (an affidavit).
Affidavit
A written statement of facts confirmed by the oath or affirmation of the person making it (affiant) before a Notary or authorized officer.
Affirmation
A solemn declaration made by a person who declines to take an oath for religious or ethical reasons; it has the same legal effect as an oath.
Amended Certificate
A notary certificate that has been corrected by the Notary to fix an error in the original certificate.
Apostille
A form of authentication issued by the Secretary of State that verifies the signature and seal of a Notary Public on a document for use in another country.
Attest
To bear witness to the execution of a document and subscribe the same as a witness.
Attesting Witness
A person who is present at the signing of a document and signs it as a witness to the signer's identity and willingness.
Authentication
A process where a public official (usually the Secretary of State) certifies that a Notary’s commission is valid and their signature/seal are authentic.
Awareness
The Notary's duty to ensure the signer understands the nature of the document they are signing and is doing so of their own free will.
Capacity
The legal right or authority of a person to sign a document on behalf of another person, a corporation, or an organization.
Certified Copy
A copy of a document that the Notary has compared with the original and determined to be a true, accurate, and complete reproduction.
Civil Liability
The legal responsibility of a Notary to pay for damages caused by the Notary's negligence or misconduct.
Coercion
The act of forcing or pressuring someone to sign a document against their will.
Commission
The official appointment and authority granted by the state to perform notary acts for a specific term (usually 4 years).
Conflict of Interest
A situation where a Notary has a personal or financial interest in a transaction that could compromise their impartiality.
Conveyance
A legal document, such as a deed, that transfers ownership of real estate from one person to another.
Credible Witness
A person known to the Notary or whose identity is proven, who swears to the identity of a signer who does not have satisfactory identification.
Negotiable Instrument
A document (such as a check or promissory note) that guarantees the payment of a specific amount of money.
Notarial Act
Any official act that a Notary Public is authorized by law to perform.
Notary Bond
A financial guarantee that provides a fund to compensate a member of the public for damages caused by a Notary's error or misconduct.
Notary Public
A public official appointed by the state to serve as an impartial witness in the signing of important documents and to prevent fraud.
Notary Seal/Stamp
An official tool used by a Notary Public to authenticate their acts, containing the Notary's name, commission number, and expiration date.
Perjury
The crime of lying under oath or affirmation.
Personal Appearance
The requirement that the signer be physically present in front of the Notary Public at the time of the notarization.
Power of Attorney
A legal document that authorizes one person (the agent) to act on behalf of another person (the principal) in legal or financial matters.
Prima Facie Evidence
Evidence that is sufficient to prove a fact unless it is contradicted by other evidence.
Principal
The person who is the main party to a transaction or the person who authorizes another to act on their behalf.
Protest
A formal statement by a Notary Public certifying that a negotiable instrument was presented for payment and refused.
Public Record
A document that is recorded by a government agency and is open for public inspection.
Satisfactory Evidence
Identification of a signer based on personal knowledge, reliable identification documents (like a driver's license), or a credible witness.
Signature by Mark
A 'mark' (such as an 'X') made by a person who cannot sign their name, witnessed by the Notary and usually two other people.
Statute
A written law passed by a legislative body.
Subpoena
A legal order requiring a person to appear in court or to provide documents for use in a legal proceeding.
Subscribe
To sign one's name at the end of a document.
Suspension
The temporary withdrawal of a Notary's commission by the state due to misconduct or failure to follow laws.