notary public

noun

no·​ta·​ry public ˈnō-tə-rē- How to pronounce notary public (audio)
plural notaries public or notary publics
: a public officer who attests or certifies writings (such as a deed) to make them authentic and takes affidavits, depositions, and protests of negotiable paper

called also notary

Examples of notary public in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Notarize: To make the deed legally valid, it must be signed in the presence of a notary public. True Tamplin, Forbes, 20 Oct. 2024 The deed was notarized by a Wayne County notary public, who attested that both individuals appeared in person before him. Jc Reindl, Detroit Free Press, 24 Sep. 2024 With the falsified loan document, which feds claim bore forged signatures by Lisa Marie and a Florida notary public, Findley then allegedly sought $2.85 million from the Presley Estate. Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 16 Aug. 2024 Findley then allegedly sought $2.85 million from Presley's family to settle the fake claim by fabricating loan documents and forging the signatures of Presley's daughter and a Florida notary public, the DOJ said. Alexander Mallin, ABC News, 16 Aug. 2024 See all Example Sentences for notary public 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English notary clerk, notary public, from Latin notarius clerk, secretary, from notarius of shorthand, from nota note, shorthand character

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of notary public was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near notary public

Cite this Entry

“Notary public.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/notary%20public. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

notary public

noun
no·​ta·​ry public ˌnōt-ə-rē- How to pronounce notary public (audio)
plural notaries public or notary publics
: a public officer who witnesses the making of a document (as a deed) and signs it to show that it is authentic

called also notary

Legal Definition

notary public

noun
no·​ta·​ry public ˈnō-tə-rē- How to pronounce notary public (audio)
plural notaries public or notary publics
: a public officer who certifies and attests to the authenticity of writings (as deeds) and takes affidavits, depositions, and protests of negotiable instruments

called also notary

Etymology

Latin notarius stenographer, from nota note, shorthand character

More from Merriam-Webster on notary public

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!