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Notary Public Definitions

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Avg score: 63% • Most missed: “Credible witness”

Key terms and definitions related to a Notary Public include: Notarization/Notarial Act: The formal process of witnessing a signature, administering an oath, or verifying a document. Acknowledgment: A declaration by a signer to a notary that they have willingly signed a document. Affidavit: A written statement of facts confirmed by the oath or affirmation of the party making it, taken before a notary. Oath/Affirmation: A solemn promise or vow made before a notary regarding the truthfulness of a statement or document. Jurat: A notary statement on a document certifying that the signer... Show more

Key terms and definitions related to a Notary Public include:
Notarization/Notarial Act: The formal process of witnessing a signature, administering an oath, or verifying a document.
Acknowledgment: A declaration by a signer to a notary that they have willingly signed a document.
Affidavit: A written statement of facts confirmed by the oath or affirmation of the party making it, taken before a notary.
Oath/Affirmation: A solemn promise or vow made before a notary regarding the truthfulness of a statement or document.
Jurat: A notary statement on a document certifying that the signer appeared, signed, and took an oath or affirmation before them.
Signer/Deponent: The person whose signature is being witnessed or who is making an oath.
Impartial Witness: A notary must not have any conflict of interest or financial stake in the document they are notarizing.
Notary Seal/Stamp: A device used by the notary to officialize their signature on a document.

Notaries serve as impartial officials, often in non-contentious legal and business matters, but they are not generally lawyers (unless specifically qualified as such) and cannot provide legal advice.
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Notary Public Definitions

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1. Jurat

2. Affirmation

An individual who is personally known to the notary and to whom all of the following also apply: (1) the notary believes the individual to be honest and reliable (2) the notary believes the individual is not a party to or beneficiary of the transaction.A notarial act which is legally equivalent to an oath and in which a notary certifies that at a single time and place all the following occurred: (1) individual appeared in person (2) individual was either known to the notary or provided proper identification and (3) individual made a vow of truthfulness on penalty of perjury, based on personal honor and WITHOUT invoking a deity or using any form of the word 'swear'.The NC Department of the Secretary of State.A notary's certificate evidencing the administration of an oath or affirmation. Also called a 'Verification upon Oath'. Often used for affidavits and depositions. Signer is swearing to the truthfulness regarding the content of the document.

3. Credible witness

4. Department

An individual who is personally known to the notary and to whom all of the following also apply: (1) the notary believes the individual to be honest and reliable (2) the notary believes the individual is not a party to or beneficiary of the transaction.A notary's certificate evidencing the administration of an oath or affirmation. Also called a 'Verification upon Oath'. Often used for affidavits and depositions. Signer is swearing to the truthfulness regarding the content of the document.The NC Department of the Secretary of State.A notarial act which is legally equivalent to an oath and in which a notary certifies that at a single time and place all the following occurred: (1) individual appeared in person (2) individual was either known to the notary or provided proper identification and (3) individual made a vow of truthfulness on penalty of perjury, based on personal honor and WITHOUT invoking a deity or using any form of the word 'swear'.

5. Secretary

An individual who is personally known to the notary and to whom all of the following also apply: (1) the notary believes the individual to be honest and reliable (2) the notary believes the individual is not a party to or beneficiary of the transaction.A notary's certificate evidencing the administration of an oath or affirmation. Also called a 'Verification upon Oath'. Often used for affidavits and depositions. Signer is swearing to the truthfulness regarding the content of the document.A notarial act which is legally equivalent to an oath and in which a notary certifies that at a single time and place all the following occurred: (1) individual appeared in person (2) individual was either known to the notary or provided proper identification and (3) individual made a vow of truthfulness on penalty of perjury, based on personal honor and WITHOUT invoking a deity or using any form of the word 'swear'.The NC Secretary of State or the Secretary's designee

6. Personal Knowledge of Identity

A notary's certificate evidencing the administration of an oath or affirmation. Also called a 'Verification upon Oath'. Often used for affidavits and depositions. Signer is swearing to the truthfulness regarding the content of the document.Familiarity with an individual resulting from interactions with that individual over a period of time sufficient to eliminate every reasonable doubt that the individual has the identity claimed.A notarial act which is legally equivalent to an oath and in which a notary certifies that at a single time and place all the following occurred: (1) individual appeared in person (2) individual was either known to the notary or provided proper identification and (3) individual made a vow of truthfulness on penalty of perjury, based on personal honor and WITHOUT invoking a deity or using any form of the word 'swear'.An individual who is personally known to the notary and to whom all of the following also apply: (1) the notary believes the individual to be honest and reliable (2) the notary believes the individual is not a party to or beneficiary of the transaction.

7. Oath

A notary's certificate evidencing the administration of an oath or affirmation. Also called a 'Verification upon Oath'. Often used for affidavits and depositions. Signer is swearing to the truthfulness regarding the content of the document.A notarial act which is legally equivalent to an oath and in which a notary certifies that at a single time and place all the following occurred: (1) individual appeared in person (2) individual was either known to the notary or provided proper identification and (3) individual made a vow of truthfulness on penalty of perjury, based on personal honor and WITHOUT invoking a deity or using any form of the word 'swear'.A notarial act which is legally equivalent to an affirmation and in which a notary certifies that at a single time and place all of the following occurred: (1) An individual appeared in person before the notary, (2) The individual was personally known to the notary or identified by the notary through satisfactory evidence, and (3) The individual made a vow of truthfulness on penalty of perjury while invoking a deity or using any form of the word 'swear'.An individual who is personally known to the notary and to whom all of the following also apply: (1) the notary believes the individual to be honest and reliable (2) the notary believes the individual is not a party to or beneficiary of the transaction.

8. Satisfactory Evidence of Identity

Identification of an individual based on either: (1) At least one current document issued by a federal, state or federal or state-recognized tribal gov't agency bearing the photographic image of the individual's face AND either the signature or physical description of the individual, or (2) The oath or affirmation of one credible witness who personally knows the individual seeking to be identified.An individual who is personally known to the notary and to whom all of the following also apply: (1) the notary believes the individual to be honest and reliable (2) the notary believes the individual is not a party to or beneficiary of the transaction.A notary's certificate evidencing the administration of an oath or affirmation. Also called a 'Verification upon Oath'. Often used for affidavits and depositions. Signer is swearing to the truthfulness regarding the content of the document.A notarial act which is legally equivalent to an oath and in which a notary certifies that at a single time and place all the following occurred: (1) individual appeared in person (2) individual was either known to the notary or provided proper identification and (3) individual made a vow of truthfulness on penalty of perjury, based on personal honor and WITHOUT invoking a deity or using any form of the word 'swear'.

9. Principal - in the case of verification or proof

An individual who is personally known to the notary and to whom all of the following also apply: (1) the notary believes the individual to be honest and reliable (2) the notary believes the individual is not a party to or beneficiary of the transaction.A notary's certificate evidencing the administration of an oath or affirmation. Also called a 'Verification upon Oath'. Often used for affidavits and depositions. Signer is swearing to the truthfulness regarding the content of the document.A notarial act which is legally equivalent to an oath and in which a notary certifies that at a single time and place all the following occurred: (1) individual appeared in person (2) individual was either known to the notary or provided proper identification and (3) individual made a vow of truthfulness on penalty of perjury, based on personal honor and WITHOUT invoking a deity or using any form of the word 'swear'.The individual whose identity and due execution of the record is being proven either by a subscribing witness or whose signature is being identified as genuine

10. Suspension and Restriction

A notarial act which is legally equivalent to an oath and in which a notary certifies that at a single time and place all the following occurred: (1) individual appeared in person (2) individual was either known to the notary or provided proper identification and (3) individual made a vow of truthfulness on penalty of perjury, based on personal honor and WITHOUT invoking a deity or using any form of the word 'swear'.The termination of a notary's commission for a period of time (temporarily) as stated in an order.An individual who is personally known to the notary and to whom all of the following also apply: (1) the notary believes the individual to be honest and reliable (2) the notary believes the individual is not a party to or beneficiary of the transaction.A notary's certificate evidencing the administration of an oath or affirmation. Also called a 'Verification upon Oath'. Often used for affidavits and depositions. Signer is swearing to the truthfulness regarding the content of the document.

11. Commissioning date

An individual who is personally known to the notary and to whom all of the following also apply: (1) the notary believes the individual to be honest and reliable (2) the notary believes the individual is not a party to or beneficiary of the transaction.A notary's certificate evidencing the administration of an oath or affirmation. Also called a 'Verification upon Oath'. Often used for affidavits and depositions. Signer is swearing to the truthfulness regarding the content of the document.The date of commissioning or recommissioning as entered on a commission certificate.A notarial act which is legally equivalent to an oath and in which a notary certifies that at a single time and place all the following occurred: (1) individual appeared in person (2) individual was either known to the notary or provided proper identification and (3) individual made a vow of truthfulness on penalty of perjury, based on personal honor and WITHOUT invoking a deity or using any form of the word 'swear'.

12. Oath - vow of truthfulness to be agreed to:

A notary's certificate evidencing the administration of an oath or affirmation. Also called a 'Verification upon Oath'. Often used for affidavits and depositions. Signer is swearing to the truthfulness regarding the content of the document.An individual who is personally known to the notary and to whom all of the following also apply: (1) the notary believes the individual to be honest and reliable (2) the notary believes the individual is not a party to or beneficiary of the transaction.'Do you swear the information you are providing is true to the best of your knowledge, so help you God?'A notarial act which is legally equivalent to an oath and in which a notary certifies that at a single time and place all the following occurred: (1) individual appeared in person (2) individual was either known to the notary or provided proper identification and (3) individual made a vow of truthfulness on penalty of perjury, based on personal honor and WITHOUT invoking a deity or using any form of the word 'swear'.

13. Principal - in case of oath or affirmation

A notarial act which is legally equivalent to an oath and in which a notary certifies that at a single time and place all the following occurred: (1) individual appeared in person (2) individual was either known to the notary or provided proper identification and (3) individual made a vow of truthfulness on penalty of perjury, based on personal honor and WITHOUT invoking a deity or using any form of the word 'swear'.An individual who is personally known to the notary and to whom all of the following also apply: (1) the notary believes the individual to be honest and reliable (2) the notary believes the individual is not a party to or beneficiary of the transaction.The individual who makes a vow of truthfulness on penalty of perjury.A notary's certificate evidencing the administration of an oath or affirmation. Also called a 'Verification upon Oath'. Often used for affidavits and depositions. Signer is swearing to the truthfulness regarding the content of the document.

14. Revocation

A notarial act which is legally equivalent to an oath and in which a notary certifies that at a single time and place all the following occurred: (1) individual appeared in person (2) individual was either known to the notary or provided proper identification and (3) individual made a vow of truthfulness on penalty of perjury, based on personal honor and WITHOUT invoking a deity or using any form of the word 'swear'.An individual who is personally known to the notary and to whom all of the following also apply: (1) the notary believes the individual to be honest and reliable (2) the notary believes the individual is not a party to or beneficiary of the transaction.The cancellation of the notary's commission stated in an order.A notary's certificate evidencing the administration of an oath or affirmation. Also called a 'Verification upon Oath'. Often used for affidavits and depositions. Signer is swearing to the truthfulness regarding the content of the document.

15. Appointee

A notary's certificate evidencing the administration of an oath or affirmation. Also called a 'Verification upon Oath'. Often used for affidavits and depositions. Signer is swearing to the truthfulness regarding the content of the document.An individual who is personally known to the notary and to whom all of the following also apply: (1) the notary believes the individual to be honest and reliable (2) the notary believes the individual is not a party to or beneficiary of the transaction.An individual who has been appointed or reappointed to the office of notary public but has not yet taken the oath of office to be commissioned.A notarial act which is legally equivalent to an oath and in which a notary certifies that at a single time and place all the following occurred: (1) individual appeared in person (2) individual was either known to the notary or provided proper identification and (3) individual made a vow of truthfulness on penalty of perjury, based on personal honor and WITHOUT invoking a deity or using any form of the word 'swear'.

16. Notarial Act, Notary Act & Notarization

A notary's certificate evidencing the administration of an oath or affirmation. Also called a 'Verification upon Oath'. Often used for affidavits and depositions. Signer is swearing to the truthfulness regarding the content of the document.The act of taking an acknowledgment, taking a verification or proof, or administering an oath or affirmation that a notary is empowered to perform under 10B-20(a).An individual who is personally known to the notary and to whom all of the following also apply: (1) the notary believes the individual to be honest and reliable (2) the notary believes the individual is not a party to or beneficiary of the transaction.A notarial act which is legally equivalent to an oath and in which a notary certifies that at a single time and place all the following occurred: (1) individual appeared in person (2) individual was either known to the notary or provided proper identification and (3) individual made a vow of truthfulness on penalty of perjury, based on personal honor and WITHOUT invoking a deity or using any form of the word 'swear'.

17. Regular place of work or business

An individual who is personally known to the notary and to whom all of the following also apply: (1) the notary believes the individual to be honest and reliable (2) the notary believes the individual is not a party to or beneficiary of the transaction.A location, office or other workspace, where an individual regularly spends all or part of the individual's work time.A notary's certificate evidencing the administration of an oath or affirmation. Also called a 'Verification upon Oath'. Often used for affidavits and depositions. Signer is swearing to the truthfulness regarding the content of the document.A notarial act which is legally equivalent to an oath and in which a notary certifies that at a single time and place all the following occurred: (1) individual appeared in person (2) individual was either known to the notary or provided proper identification and (3) individual made a vow of truthfulness on penalty of perjury, based on personal honor and WITHOUT invoking a deity or using any form of the word 'swear'.

18. Moral Turpitude

Conduct contrary to expected standards of honesty, morality, or integrity.An individual who is personally known to the notary and to whom all of the following also apply: (1) the notary believes the individual to be honest and reliable (2) the notary believes the individual is not a party to or beneficiary of the transaction.A notary's certificate evidencing the administration of an oath or affirmation. Also called a 'Verification upon Oath'. Often used for affidavits and depositions. Signer is swearing to the truthfulness regarding the content of the document.A notarial act which is legally equivalent to an oath and in which a notary certifies that at a single time and place all the following occurred: (1) individual appeared in person (2) individual was either known to the notary or provided proper identification and (3) individual made a vow of truthfulness on penalty of perjury, based on personal honor and WITHOUT invoking a deity or using any form of the word 'swear'.

19. Personal Appearance

A notary's certificate evidencing the administration of an oath or affirmation. Also called a 'Verification upon Oath'. Often used for affidavits and depositions. Signer is swearing to the truthfulness regarding the content of the document.A notarial act which is legally equivalent to an oath and in which a notary certifies that at a single time and place all the following occurred: (1) individual appeared in person (2) individual was either known to the notary or provided proper identification and (3) individual made a vow of truthfulness on penalty of perjury, based on personal honor and WITHOUT invoking a deity or using any form of the word 'swear'.An individual and a notary are in close physical proximity to one another so that they may freely see and communicate with one another and exchange records back and forth during the notarization process. (Not by FaceTime, Skype or phone)An individual who is personally known to the notary and to whom all of the following also apply: (1) the notary believes the individual to be honest and reliable (2) the notary believes the individual is not a party to or beneficiary of the transaction.

20. Verifications or proofs

A notarial act in which a notary certifies that all the following occurred: (1) An individual appeared in person before the notary, (2) The individual was personally known to the notary or identified by the notary through satisfactory evidence, (3) The individual was not a party to or beneficiary of the transaction, and (4) The individual took an oath or gave an affirmation and testifies that the (a) principal signed the record while in the subscribing witness's presence, or (b) principal acknowledged his or her signature to the subscribing witness, or (c) the subscribing witness recognized the principal's signature and is stating it is genuine.A notarial act which is legally equivalent to an oath and in which a notary certifies that at a single time and place all the following occurred: (1) individual appeared in person (2) individual was either known to the notary or provided proper identification and (3) individual made a vow of truthfulness on penalty of perjury, based on personal honor and WITHOUT invoking a deity or using any form of the word 'swear'.A notary's certificate evidencing the administration of an oath or affirmation. Also called a 'Verification upon Oath'. Often used for affidavits and depositions. Signer is swearing to the truthfulness regarding the content of the document.An individual who is personally known to the notary and to whom all of the following also apply: (1) the notary believes the individual to be honest and reliable (2) the notary believes the individual is not a party to or beneficiary of the transaction.

21. Nickname

A notarial act which is legally equivalent to an oath and in which a notary certifies that at a single time and place all the following occurred: (1) individual appeared in person (2) individual was either known to the notary or provided proper identification and (3) individual made a vow of truthfulness on penalty of perjury, based on personal honor and WITHOUT invoking a deity or using any form of the word 'swear'.An individual who is personally known to the notary and to whom all of the following also apply: (1) the notary believes the individual to be honest and reliable (2) the notary believes the individual is not a party to or beneficiary of the transaction.A notary's certificate evidencing the administration of an oath or affirmation. Also called a 'Verification upon Oath'. Often used for affidavits and depositions. Signer is swearing to the truthfulness regarding the content of the document.A descriptive, familiar, or shortened form of a proper name.

22. Appoint (or) Appointment

An individual who is personally known to the notary and to whom all of the following also apply: (1) the notary believes the individual to be honest and reliable (2) the notary believes the individual is not a party to or beneficiary of the transaction.A notary's certificate evidencing the administration of an oath or affirmation. Also called a 'Verification upon Oath'. Often used for affidavits and depositions. Signer is swearing to the truthfulness regarding the content of the document.A notarial act which is legally equivalent to an oath and in which a notary certifies that at a single time and place all the following occurred: (1) individual appeared in person (2) individual was either known to the notary or provided proper identification and (3) individual made a vow of truthfulness on penalty of perjury, based on personal honor and WITHOUT invoking a deity or using any form of the word 'swear'.The naming of an individual to the office of notary public.

23. Notarial Certificate (or) Certificate

An individual who is personally known to the notary and to whom all of the following also apply: (1) the notary believes the individual to be honest and reliable (2) the notary believes the individual is not a party to or beneficiary of the transaction.The portion of a notarized record this is completed by the notary, bears the notary's signature and seal, and states the facts attested by the notary in a particular notarization.A notarial act which is legally equivalent to an oath and in which a notary certifies that at a single time and place all the following occurred: (1) individual appeared in person (2) individual was either known to the notary or provided proper identification and (3) individual made a vow of truthfulness on penalty of perjury, based on personal honor and WITHOUT invoking a deity or using any form of the word 'swear'.A notary's certificate evidencing the administration of an oath or affirmation. Also called a 'Verification upon Oath'. Often used for affidavits and depositions. Signer is swearing to the truthfulness regarding the content of the document.

24. Commission

A notarial act which is legally equivalent to an oath and in which a notary certifies that at a single time and place all the following occurred: (1) individual appeared in person (2) individual was either known to the notary or provided proper identification and (3) individual made a vow of truthfulness on penalty of perjury, based on personal honor and WITHOUT invoking a deity or using any form of the word 'swear'.A notary's certificate evidencing the administration of an oath or affirmation. Also called a 'Verification upon Oath'. Often used for affidavits and depositions. Signer is swearing to the truthfulness regarding the content of the document.The empowerment to perform notarial acts and the written evidence of authority to perform those acts.An individual who is personally known to the notary and to whom all of the following also apply: (1) the notary believes the individual to be honest and reliable (2) the notary believes the individual is not a party to or beneficiary of the transaction.

25. Official Misconduct

A notarial act which is legally equivalent to an oath and in which a notary certifies that at a single time and place all the following occurred: (1) individual appeared in person (2) individual was either known to the notary or provided proper identification and (3) individual made a vow of truthfulness on penalty of perjury, based on personal honor and WITHOUT invoking a deity or using any form of the word 'swear'.A notary's certificate evidencing the administration of an oath or affirmation. Also called a 'Verification upon Oath'. Often used for affidavits and depositions. Signer is swearing to the truthfulness regarding the content of the document.Either: (1) A notary's performance of a prohibited act or failure to perform a mandated act set forth in Chapter 10B or any other law in connection with notarization, or (2) A notary's performance of a notarial act in a manner found by the Secretary to be negligent or against the public interest.An individual who is personally known to the notary and to whom all of the following also apply: (1) the notary believes the individual to be honest and reliable (2) the notary believes the individual is not a party to or beneficiary of the transaction.

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❤ If you liked Fatskills, consider supporting us by checking out The Life Manuals You Never Got.

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All trademarks, logos and brand names are the property of their respective owners. All company, product and service names used in this website are for identification purposes only. Use of these names, trademarks and brands does not imply endorsement.

About | Explore | User Guide | Topics | Subjects | Doubt Solver | Career Aptitude Test | Answers | Free Tools | OSHA Basics Quiz | What Should We Know?
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Without work one finishes nothing. - Ralph Waldo Emerson
© 2026 Fatskills.com