Legal Definitions - notarize

Definition: Notarization is a process that ensures the authenticity of a document and deters fraud. It is performed by a Notary Public who checks the signer's identification, volition, and awareness. The Notary Public keeps key details of the notarization in their "journal of notarial acts," signs and seals the document being notarized, and performs various types of notarial acts.

• Acknowledgements: Certify that the signatures on the document belong to signers present in front of the Notary Public. Documents conveying ownership or important rights, such as real property deeds, powers of attorney, and trusts, usually need to be acknowledged by a Notary Public.
• Jurats: Swear to a Notary Public that the statements in the document are true. An example is an affidavit.
• Certified Copies: A copy of the original document certified by the Notary Public that is true, exact, and complete as the original document. An example is a certified copy of a birth certificate.

For example, if you need to sell your house, you will need to sign a real property deed. The Notary Public will check your identification and ensure that you are signing the document of your own free will. They will then acknowledge your signature, certifying that it belongs to you. This notarization ensures that the document is authentic and deters fraud.