Notary Terms

Front 1

Acknowledgement

Back 1

A formal declaration before a duly authorized public officer, such as a notary public, made by a person who has signed a document, that the signature is made voluntarily for the purposes stated in the document.

Front 2

Acknowledgement Certificate

Back 2

A written statement, affixed to a document, signed by an authorized public officer that states within a form prescribed by law, that the officer took the acknowledgment for the person who signed the document.

Front 3

Administrator

Back 3

An individual appointed by a court to manage the affairs of a deceased person.

Front 4

Affiant

Back 4

The person making an affidavit.

Front 5

Affidavit

Back 5

An affidavit is a signed statement, duly sworn to, by the maker thereof, before a notary public or other officer authorized to administer oaths.

Front 6

Affirmation

Back 6

A solemn declaration, equivalent and just as binding as an oath, but without religious significance or reference to a Supreme Being.

Front 7

Apostille

Back 7

Authentication from the Department of State attached to a notarized and county-certified document for possible international use.

Front 8

Attest

Back 8

To sign a document as a witness.

Front 9

Attestation Clause

Back 9

The statement signed by a witness who is attesting the signature of a document as a witness.

Front 10

BILL OF SALE

Back 10

A document which passes title of personal property.

Front 11

CERTIFICATE

Back 11

A written statement, signed by an official, describing acts performed in an official capacity.

Front 12

CHATTEL

Back 12

Items of personal belongings such as household goods and fixtures.

Front 13

CHATTEL PAPER

Back 13

A document which evidences an obligation to pay money and a security interest in the property.

Front 14

CIVIL ACTION

Back 14

A lawsuit or action between two individual parties.

Front 15

CODICIL

Back 15

A document which modifies the terms of a will.

Front 16

CONSIDERATION

Back 16

Anything of value given to influence someone to enter into a contract.

Front 17

CONTEMPT OF COURT

Back 17

Disrespectful behavior in a court of law.

Front 18

CONTRACT

Back 18

A binding agreement between two or more parties to do or not do certain actions.

Front 19

CONVEYANCE

Back 19

The transferring of property title from one owner to another, esp. the documentation of the transfer of ownership.

Front 20

CRIMINAL PROCEEDING

Back 20

An action against someone by the State for violating a rule or a law.

Front 21

DEFENDANT

Back 21

The party against which legal action is brought.

Front 22

DEPONENT

Back 22

The person testifying in a deposition.

Front 23

DEPOSITION

Back 23

The testimony of a witness under oath before a notary public or court reporter, in a place away from the courtroom, for purposes related to a lawsuit.

Front 24

DURESS

Back 24

Unlawful influence upon someone by making them do something against their will.

Front 25

ESCROW

Back 25

Putting documents in the hands of an independent third party.

Front 26

EX PARTE

Back 26

A hearing or examination in the presence of one party but not the other. For example, an affidavit.

Front 27

EXECUTOR

Back 27

A person in charge of carrying out the provisions of a will.

Front 28

FELONY

Back 28

A crime punishable by death or imprisonment longer than one year.

Front 29

GUARDIAN

Back 29

A person in charge of a minor and/or their property.

Front 30

JUDGMENT

Back 30

A declaration by the court stating that one individual owes money to another individual, and the amount of the indebtedness.

Front 31

JURAT

Back 31

The part of an affidavit where the notary certifies that the statements were sworn to before the notary.

Front 32

LACHES

Back 32

The delay or negligence in asserting one's legal rights.

Front 33

LEASE

Back 33

A contract where a person pays rent to occupy another's property.

Front 34

LIEN

Back 34

A claim of debt attached to a property, e.g. a mortgage lien.

Front 35

LITIGATION

Back 35

A lawsuit.

Front 36

MISDEMEANOR

Back 36

Any crime other than a felony.

Front 37

MORTGAGE ON REAL PROPERTY

Back 37

document which creates a lien on a property.

Front 38

NOTARY PUBLIC

Back 38

A person of proven integrity appointed by the Secretary of State to serve as an impartial witness in taking acknowledgments, administering oaths and affirmations, and performing other acts as authorized by state law.

Front 39

OATH

Back 39

A verbal pledge of truthfulness upon the fear of divine punishment.

Front 40

PERJURY

Back 40

Giving testimony under oath or affirmation when the testimony is false and willfully made.

Front 41

PLAINTIFF

Back 41

A person who begins legal action against another person.

Front 42

POWER OF ATTORNEY

Back 42

A written statement by an individual giving another person power to act on his or her behalf.

Front 43

PROOF

Back 43

The declaration made by a subscribing witness.

Front 44

PROTEST

Back 44

A written statement issued by a notary public that a specified promissory note or bill of exchange was presented for payment or acceptance, and such payment or acceptance was refused.

Front 45

RENT

Back 45

Payment for the use of someone else's property.

Front 46

S.S. (SCILICET)

Back 46

Latin meaning "in particular", "namely" or "to wit". Printed near the venue statement of a notarial certificate.

Front 47

STATUTE

Back 47

A law established by legislation.

Front 48

STATUTE OF FRAUDS

Back 48

A state law which requires certain contracts to be in writing or partially complied with, in order to be enforceable.

Front 49

STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS

Back 49

A law that sets a time limit on initiating criminal prosecution or a civil action.

Front 50

SUBORDINATION CLAUSE

Back 50

A provision of a mortgage which permits the placing of a mortgage at a later date with priority over existing mortgages.

Front 51

SUBSCRIBE

Back 51

To sign, to write one's signature.

Front 52

SWEAR

Back 52

Administration of an oath.

Front 53

TESTIMONIUM CLAUSE

Back 53

At the end of many documents and certificates, the wording "witness my hand and seal" or some variation thereof.

Front 54

VENUE

Back 54

The state and county where a notarization is performed.

Front 55

WILL

Back 55

The disposition of one's property to take effect after death.