Notary Legal Meaning and Definition

Here is a simplified definition of the legal term Notary.

Notary (noun):

A notary, also known as a notary public, is a person legally authorized by a state government to authenticate or certify documents. In simpler terms, a notary makes documents 'official'. They check the identities of people signing the documents, ensure they understand what they're signing, and confirm they are not being forced to sign under duress. Notaries are also involved in taking sworn statements known as depositions.