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Notary Public Definitions

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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. 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.The NC Secretary of State or the Secretary's designeeThe termination of a notary's commission for a period of time (temporarily) as stated in an order.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.

2. Suspension and Restriction

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 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.The NC Secretary of State or the Secretary's designeeThe termination of a notary's commission for a period of time (temporarily) as stated in an order.

3. Notarial Certificate (or) Certificate

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.The termination of a notary's commission for a period of time (temporarily) as stated in an order.The NC Secretary of State or the Secretary's designeeThe 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.

4. Secretary

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.The termination of a notary's commission for a period of time (temporarily) as stated in an order.The NC Secretary of State or the Secretary's designeeA 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.

5. Personal Appearance

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.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)The termination of a notary's commission for a period of time (temporarily) as stated in an order.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.

6. Commission

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.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.The termination of a notary's commission for a period of time (temporarily) as stated in an order.The empowerment to perform notarial acts and the written evidence of authority to perform those acts.

7. Official Misconduct

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 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.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.The termination of a notary's commission for a period of time (temporarily) as stated in an order.

8. Credible witness

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.The termination of a notary's commission for a period of time (temporarily) as stated in an order.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.

9. Department

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.The NC Department of the Secretary of State.The termination of a notary's commission for a period of time (temporarily) as stated in an order.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.

10. Principal - in the case of verification or proof

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 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.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 genuineThe termination of a notary's commission for a period of time (temporarily) as stated in an order.

11. Nickname

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 descriptive, familiar, or shortened form of a proper name.The termination of a notary's commission for a period of time (temporarily) as stated in an order.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.

12. Personal Knowledge of Identity

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.The termination of a notary's commission for a period of time (temporarily) as stated in an order.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 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.

13. Regular place of work or business

The termination of a notary's commission for a period of time (temporarily) as stated in an order.A location, office or other workspace, where an individual regularly spends all or part of the individual's work time.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.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.

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

'Do you swear the information you are providing is true to the best of your knowledge, so help you God?'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 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.The termination of a notary's commission for a period of time (temporarily) as stated in an order.

15. Principal - in case of an acknowledgment

The termination of a notary's commission for a period of time (temporarily) as stated in an order.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.The individual whose identity and due execution of a record is being certified by the notary.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.

16. Commissioning date

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 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.The termination of a notary's commission for a period of time (temporarily) as stated in an order.The date of commissioning or recommissioning as entered on a commission certificate.

17. Attest (or) Attestation

The completion of a certificate by a notary who has performed a notarial act.The termination of a notary's commission for a period of time (temporarily) as stated in an order.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.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.

18. Acknowledgment:

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 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.The termination of a notary's commission for a period of time (temporarily) as stated in an order.1) individual appeared in person and presented record, 2) individual was personally known to the notary, 3) signed while in the physical presence of the notary (or) indicated that the signature was his/her own

19. Affirmation - vow of truthfulness to be agreed to:

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.The termination of a notary's commission for a period of time (temporarily) as stated in an order.'Do you swear the information you are providing is true to the best of your knowledge?'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.

20. Revocation

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 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.The cancellation of the notary's commission stated in an order.The termination of a notary's commission for a period of time (temporarily) as stated in an order.

21. Notarial Act, Notary Act & Notarization

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).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.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.The termination of a notary's commission for a period of time (temporarily) as stated in an order.

22. Affirmation

The termination of a notary's commission for a period of time (temporarily) as stated in an order.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 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.

23. Seal and Stamp

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.The termination of a notary's commission for a period of time (temporarily) as stated in an order.A device for affixing on a paper record an image containing the (1) Notary's name, (2) the words 'Notary Public', (3) The County of Commissioning, including the word 'County' or 'Co', and (4) 'North Carolina' or 'NC' or 'N.C.'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.

24. Applicant

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.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.The termination of a notary's commission for a period of time (temporarily) as stated in an order.An individual who seeks appointment for the first time or reappointment to the office of notary public.

25. Appointee

The termination of a notary's commission for a period of time (temporarily) as stated in an order.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 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.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.

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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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