A Notary Was Originally a Shorthand Writer
A notary certifies documents. The Latin word means a shorthand writer, from the marks used to take dictation.
A notary is an official who certifies documents and signatures. The Latin *notarius* meant a shorthand writer, from *nota*, a mark — Roman secretaries used a system of shorthand marks to take dictation. As the writers of record became the certifiers of record, the job changed and the name stayed.
- An official certifying documents. *A notary public.*
- Notarise — to certify. *Notarise the signature.*
- Notarial — of a notary. *A notarial act.*
Word forms
| Form | Word | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Noun | notary | A notary public. |
| Plural | notaries | Two notaries. |
| Verb | notarise | Notarise the deed. |
| Adjective | notarial | A notarial seal. |
| Related | note | Take a note. |
How it is used in a sentence
- The document was notarised.Certified by a notary.
- Notarius meant a shorthand writer.Roman usage.
- Notaries in Britain are far rarer than in America.Different legal systems.
Notaries across systems
- Common law notary — mainly certifies signatures and documents
- Civil law notary — a substantial legal professional drafting binding instruments
- Notary public — the American office, widely available and lightly qualified
- Apostille — international certification of a notarised document
- Scrivener notary — a specialist in foreign-language documents in England
From Latin *notarius*, a shorthand writer or clerk, from *nota*, a mark or sign.
Why are notaries so different between countries?
Because civil law systems give notaries a substantial drafting role, while common law systems mainly use them to witness and certify.
What is an apostille?
A certificate under an international convention confirming that a document has been properly notarised, so it is accepted abroad.