notarize
To notarize is to have a document formally authenticated by a notary public through a notarial act. Notarization is intended to deter fraud by verifying the identity of the signer, confirming that the signer appears voluntarily, and recording the act in the notary’s official records. After performing the notarial act as described above, the notary public signs and affixes an official seal to the document.
Common types of notarial acts include acknowledgments, jurats, and certified copies. An acknowledgment confirms that a signer personally appeared before the notary and acknowledged signing the document. Documents conveying significant legal rights, such as real property deeds or powers of attorney, often require notarization or acknowledgment under state law. A jurat requires the signer to swear or affirm that the statements in the document are true, such as in an affidavit. A certified copy is a copy of a document that the notary attests is a true and accurate reproduction of the original.
[Last reviewed in April of 2026 by the Wex Definitions Team]
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