Legal Definitions - certificate of proof

Definition: A certificate of proof is a document that certifies the authenticity of a signature made by a person who did not appear before a notary. The certificate is based on the testimony of a third party who witnessed the signature and confirms that it was made freely and without coercion.

Example: John signs a legal document but is unable to appear before a notary to acknowledge his signature. Instead, he asks his friend Tom to witness his signature and provide a certificate of proof. Tom signs the certificate, confirming that John's signature is genuine and was made without any pressure or influence from others.

Explanation: In this example, the certificate of proof serves as evidence that John's signature is valid and was not forged or coerced. The certificate is based on Tom's testimony, which confirms that John signed the document of his own free will. This type of certificate is often used in legal proceedings to verify the authenticity of signatures and prevent fraud.