Dictionary of Law
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

notary public :: legal definition


Notary public - n. a person authorized by the state in which the person resides to administer oaths (swearings to truth of a statement), take acknowledgments, certify documents and to take depositions if the notary is also a court reporter. The signature and seal or stamp of a notary public is necessary to attest to the oath of truth of a person making an affidavit and to attest that a person has acknowledged that he/she executed a deed, power of attorney or other document, and is required for recording in public records. The Secretary of State of each state appoints notaries public for a specified term of years. A notary public must see proof of identity (e.g. driver's license) of those swearing and keep an official journal of documents notarized. The authority is good only in the state which appoints the notary.


Related Law Terms

abduction :: n. the criminal taking away of a person by persuas ... g of children. See also: kidnapping
account stated :: n. a statement between a creditor or the person to ... ending on the state. See also: debt
acknowledgment :: n. the section at the end of a document where a no ... me leases and various other papers.
administrator :: n. the person appointed by the court to handle the ... e also: administer executor probate
adoption :: n. the taking of a child into one's family, creati ... the child are met. See also: adopt
affidavit :: n. 1) any written document in which the signer swe ... an affidavit. See also: declaration
agency :: n. the relationship of a person (called the agent) ... ondeat superior scope of employment
agent :: n. a person who is authorized to act for another ( ... issues. See also: agency authority
antitrust laws :: n. acts adopted by Congress to outlaw or restrict ... so: price fixing restraint of trade
apparent authority :: n. the appearance of being the agent of another (e ... e also: agency ostensible authority
appeal :: 1) v. to ask a higher court to reverse the decisio ... ng, as in "he has filed an appeal."
articles of incorporation :: n. the basic charter of a corporation which spells ... year's taxes. See also: corporation
attest :: v. 1) to confirm (usually in writing) that a docum ... also: holographic will will witness
Attorney General :: n. in each state and the federal government the hi ... izenry. See also: Solicitor General
bankruptcy :: n. a federal system of statutes and courts which p ... y proceedings trustee in bankruptcy
bar examination :: n. the examination given in each state by either t ... n that district. See also: attorney
Bill of Rights :: n. the first ten amendments to the federal Constit ... ved to the states or to the people.
certificate of title :: n. generally, the title document for a motor vehic ... a "pink slip." See also: pink slip
chattel mortgage :: n. an outmoded written document which made a chatt ... ed by the property. See also: UCC-1
Chief Justice :: n. the presiding judge of any State Supreme Court ... nks of existing Associate Justices.
child custody :: n. a court's determination of which parent, relati ... pport custody divorce joint custody
civil :: adj. 1) that part of the law that encompasses busi ... also: civil liberties civil rights
common law :: n. the traditional unwritten law of England, based ... plied without reference to statute.
complaint :: n. the first document filed with the court (actual ... g prayer service of process summons
conflict of interest :: n. a situation in which a person has a duty to mor ... a position adverse to the customer.
conservator :: n. a guardian and protector appointed by a judge t ... ies. See also: conservatee guardian
constitution :: n. the fundamental, underlying document which esta ... ts common law constitutional rights
constructive notice :: n. a fiction that a person got notice even though ... personally. See also: constructive
consumer protection laws :: n. almost all states and the federal government ha ... rranty product liability securities
copyright :: 1) n. the exclusive right of the author or creator ... plagiarism public domain trademark
corporation :: n. an organization formed with state governmental ... ation public corporation securities
court :: n. 1) the judge, as in "The court rules in favor o ... cost and wait of full court trials.
d.b.a. :: n. short for "doing business as," when a person or ... that is registered with the state.
declarant :: n. the person making a statement, usually written ... also: affiant affidavit declaration
declaration of mailing :: n. a form stating that a particular document has b ... other party. See also: declaration
descent :: n. the rules of inheritance established by law in ... on inheritance intestate succession
disinherit :: v. to intentionally take actions to guarantee that ... rorem clause pretermitted heir will
domicile :: n. the place where a person has his/her permanent ... where its headquarters is located.
double jeopardy :: n. placing someone on trial a second time for an o ... that occurred thirty years earlier.
eminent domain :: n. the power of a governmental entity (federal, st ... ngs. See also: condemn condemnation
equal opportunity :: 1) n. a right supposedly guaranteed by both federa ... be so. See also: affirmative action
equal protection of the law :: n. the right of all persons to have the same acces ... laws." See also: due process of law
executor :: n. the person appointed to administer the estate o ... sed decedent executrix probate will
extradition :: n. the surrender by one state or country of a pers ... ty. See also: fugitive from justice
fair comment :: n. a statement of opinion (no matter how ludicrous ... amation libel public figure slander
file :: 1) v. to deposit with the clerk of the court a wri ... rrespondence and notes on the case.
fraud :: n. the intentional use of deceit, a trick or some ... audulent conveyance intrinsic fraud
grace period :: n. a time stated in a contract in which a late pay ... the contract, i.e. your insurance.
grantor-grantee index :: n. a set of books and/or computerized lists found ... ument in tracking a chain of title.
guardian :: n. a person who has been appointed by a judge to t ... torship. See also: conservator ward
hearsay rule :: n. the basic rule that testimony or documents whic ... interest dying declaration hearsay
impute :: v. 1) to attach to a person responsibility (and th ... also. See also: vicarious liability
incorporate :: v. 1) to obtain an official charter or articles of ... te by reference incorporation stock
insanity :: n. mental illness of such a severe nature that a p ... M'Naughten rule temporary insanity
insolvency :: n. 1) the condition of having more debts (liabilit ... the property. See also: bankruptcy
interest :: n. 1) any and all, partial or total right to prope ... nal property real property standing
interstate commerce :: n. commercial trade, business, movement of goods o ... and the I.C.C. may soon be history.
invasion of privacy :: n. the intrusion into the personal life of another ... randeis. See also: right to privacy
invitee :: n. a person who comes onto another's property, pre ... ail employees. See also: negligence
judge :: 1) n. an official with the authority and responsib ... ice justice of the peace magistrate
jurat :: (jur-at) n. Latin for "been sworn," the portion of ... wledgment declaration notary public
jury :: n. one of the remarkable innovations of the Englis ... hallenge sequester venire voir dire
lapse :: 1) v. to fail to occur, particularly a gift made i ... eficiary devisee legatee trust will
law :: n. 1) any system of regulations to govern the cond ... um maritime law natural law statute
law book :: n. any of numerous volumes dealing with law, inclu ... : common law law Shepardize statute
libel :: 1) n. to publish in print (including pictures), wr ... libel per se public figure slander
limited partnership :: n. a special type of partnership which is very com ... mited liability partner partnership
literary property :: n. the writings of an author which entitles him/he ... as copyrighted. See also: copyright
living will :: n. also called "a durable power of attorney," it i ... upport. See also: power of attorney
long-arm statute :: n. law which gives a local state court jurisdictio ... rt jurisdiction over the defendant.
mandamus :: (man-dame-us) n. Latin for "we order," a writ (mor ... mandamus. See also: writ of mandate
Miranda warning :: n. the requirement, also called the Miranda rule, ... me such a suspect? See also: rights
motion for a summary judgment :: n. a written request for a judgment in the moving ... strict procedures. See also: motion
murder :: n. the killing of a human being by a sane person, ... premeditation second degree murder
negligence :: n. failure to exercise the care toward others whic ... gence per se res ipsa loquitur tort
no fault insurance :: n: a type of automobile insurance required of car ... ling lawsuits. See also: negligence
not guilty :: n. 1) plea of a person who claims not to have comm ... t guilty by reason of insanity plea
notice :: n. 1) information, usually in writing in all legal ... Thirty-day notice three-day notice
oath :: n. 1) a swearing to tell the truth, the whole trut ... ountry. See also: affidavit perjury
official :: 1) adj. referring to an act, document or anything ... tion or business. See also: officer
pardon :: 1) v. to use the executive power of a Governor or ... also: amnesty commutation reprieve
peremptory challenge :: n. the right of the plaintiff and the defendant in ... challenge for cause jury voir dire
personal service :: n. delivering a summons, complaint, notice to quit ... process substituted service summons
power of attorney :: n. a written document signed by a person giving an ... y, as in a real estate transaction.
privileges and immunities :: n. the fundamental rights that people enjoy in fre ... t impinge on constitutional rights.
probate :: 1) n. the process of proving a will is valid and t ... e also: administrator executor will
product liability :: n. the responsibility of manufacturers, distributo ... e known. See also: warrant warranty
promissory note :: n. a written promise by a person (variously called ... lso: interest obligee obligor usury
proof :: n. confirmation of a fact by evidence. In a trial, ... doubt preponderance of the evidence
property :: n. anything that is owned by a person or entity. P ... rty real property separate property
public defender :: n. an elected or appointed public official (usuall ... to convicted indigents for appeals.
public utility :: n. any organization which provides services to the ... nder state laws. See also: monopoly
qui tam action :: : (kwee tam) n. from Latin for "who as well," a la ... technical violations and/or errors.
receiver :: n. 1) a neutral person (often a professional trust ... owing they were obtained illegally.
regulations :: n. rules and administrative codes issued by govern ... es usually have similar procedures.
satisfaction of judgment :: n. a document signed by a judgment creditor (the p ... ord. See also: abstract of judgment
seal :: n. a device which creates an impression upon paper ... e "sealed," but that is rare today.
search and seizure :: n. examination of a person's premises (residence, ... robable cause search search warrant
search warrant :: n. a written order by a judge which permits a law ... ble cause search search and seizure
sentence :: 1) n. the punishment given to a person convicted o ... ence restitution suspended sentence
service :: n. 1) paid work by another person, either by contr ... ersonal services service of process
service by publication :: n. serving a summons or other legal document in a ... perty. See also: service of process
service of process :: n. the delivery of copies of legal documents such ... by publication substituted service
sheriff :: n. the top law enforcement officer for a county, u ... ." See also: bailiff sheriff's sale
spontaneous exclamation :: n. a sudden statement caused by the speaker having ... et hit the girl." See also: hearsay
state action :: n. in federal Civil Rights Acts, dating back to 18 ... for damages. See also: civil rights
state of domicile :: n. the state in which a person has his/her permane ... orated. See also: domicile resident
statute of limitations :: n. a law which sets the maximum period which one c ... ies. See also: demurrer laches toll
subpena duces tecum :: : (suh-pea-nah dooh-chess-take-uhm or dooh-kess-ta ... ng a court order. See also: witness
substituted service :: n. accomplishing service (delivery) of legal docum ... ee also: service service of process
summary adjudication of issues :: n. a court order ruling that certain factual issue ... is made. See also: summary judgment
summary judgment :: n. a court order ruling that no factual issues rem ... tion summary adjudication of issues
Supreme Court :: n. 1) the highest court in the United States, whic ... rt in other states. See also: court
swear :: v. 1) to declare under oath that one will tell the ... ee also: notary public oath perjury
title :: n. 1) ownership of real property or personal prope ... ink slip real property title search
trust :: n. an entity created to hold assets for the benefi ... testamentary trust trustee trustor
venue :: n. 1) the proper or most convenient location for t ... ion. See also: forum non conveniens
verification :: n. the declaration under oath or upon penalty of p ... ed. See also: answer complaint oath
will :: n. a written document which leaves the estate of t ... will and testament probate testator
witness :: 1) n. a person who testifies under oath in a trial ... lso: deposition evidence trial will

Popular Law Searches

legal definition ministerial act :: n. an act, particularly of a governmental employee ... exercising any individual judgment.
chancery legal definition :: n. a court that can order acts performed. Today ch ... ts in most states. See also: equity
testamentary disposition legal definition :: n. how the terms of a will divide the testator's ( ... named beneficiaries. See also: will
contract of sufferance :: n. a "hold-over" tenancy after a lease has expired ... y tenancy at will unlawful detainer
forthwith legal definition :: adv. a term found in contracts, court orders and s ... mediacy, with no excuses for delay.
forthwith definition legal :: adv. a term found in contracts, court orders and s ... mediacy, with no excuses for delay.
what is to wit in a legal contract :: prep. that is to say. Example: "the passengers in ... tty Bumgartner and Sherry Younger."
mirror wills legal definition :: n. the wills of a husband and wife which are ident ... d each names the other as executor.
clean hands doctrine latin :: n. a rule of law that a person coming to court wit ... ices. See also: affirmative defense
sine qua non only relates to contract law :: (see-nay kwah nahn) prep. Latin for "without which ... qua non of the injury to Playmate.

Other Law Terms - N

N.O.V. :: adj. shorthand acronym of Latin for non obstante v ... notwithstanding the verdict verdic
National Labor Relations Board :: n. an independent regulatory commission created in ... see union and organizing elections.
natural law :: n. 1) standards of conduct derived from traditiona ... eated by mankind through the state.
natural person :: n. a real human being, as distinguished from a cor ... ated at law as a fictitious person.
necessary :: adj., adv. 1) essen- tial. 2) less forcefully, it ... nient, useful or making good sense.
necessary inference :: n. 1) a conclusion militated by reason and logic a ... nown facts. 2) unavoidable meaning.
necessary party :: n. a person or entity whose interests will be affe ... o: indispensable party proper party
negative declaration :: n. a finding by a city council or other local gove ... so: EIR environmental impact report
negative pregnant :: n. a denial of an allegation in which a person act ... suse, just the amount and the date.
negligence :: n. failure to exercise the care toward others whic ... gence per se res ipsa loquitur tort
negligence per se :: (purr say) n. negligence due to the violation of a ... riving. See also: negligence per se
negligent :: adj., adv. careless in not fulfilling responsibili ... esponsibility. See also: negligence
negotiable instrument :: n. check, promissory note, bill of exchange, secur ... bearer paper bill of exchange check
negotiation :: n. 1) the transfer of a check, promissory note, bi ... te. See also: negotiable instrument
net :: : n., adj. the amount of money or value remaining ... or net estate. See also: net estate
net estate :: n. the remaining estate of a person who has died, ... alue. See also: estate tax gift tax
new matter :: n. newly claimed facts or legal issues raised (bro ... ee also: affirmative defense answer
next friend :: n. a person (often a relative) who voluntarily hel ... filed. See also: guardian ad litem
next of kin :: n. 1) the nearest blood relatives of a person who ... See also: descent and distribution
nihil :: (ni [as in it]-hill) n. from Latin for nothing. ... t]-hill) n. from Latin for nothing.