Reference
Notary & document glossary.
A plain-language reference for the terms that come up around signings and engagements. Educational and general — for the specifics of your document, a short conversation is worth more than any definition.
A – S
Notary & Document Terms
Common terms defined neutrally and correctly. State-specific rules vary; California requirements govern signings performed here.
- Acknowledgment
- A notarial act in which the signer personally appears, is identified, and acknowledges to the notary that they signed the document willingly. The notary does not administer an oath — the signer is confirming the signature is theirs. It uses specific certificate wording set by state law.
- Apostille
- A certificate issued by a state authority (in California, the Secretary of State) that authenticates a public document — including certain notarized documents — for use in another country that is a party to the Hague Apostille Convention. A notary does not issue apostilles; the notarization can be a step toward obtaining one.
- Certificate Wording
- The pre-set language a notarial certificate must contain — such as the venue, the date, the signer's name, and the type of act. States prescribe the exact wording; California requires its own forms, and out-of-state certificate language generally cannot be substituted.
- Certified / True Copy
- A copy of a document certified to be a complete and accurate reproduction of an original. Notaries may certify copies only where state law authorizes it and only for certain document types; many public records must be certified by the record's custodian instead.
- Credible Identifying Witness
- A person who personally knows the signer and, under oath, vouches for the signer's identity when the signer lacks acceptable identification. State law sets strict conditions on who may serve and how many witnesses are required.
- Jurat
- A notarial act in which the signer personally appears, signs in the notary's presence, and takes an oath or affirmation as to the truthfulness of the document's contents. Unlike an acknowledgment, a jurat requires the signature to be made before the notary and includes an oath.
- Loan Signing
- The guided execution of the documents in a mortgage or refinance package. A notary — often acting as a signing agent — presents the documents, oversees signing and initialing, and notarizes the pages that require it, so the package returns complete to the lender or title company.
- Notarial Journal
- The chronological record a notary keeps of each notarial act — typically the date and time, the type of act, the document, the signer's name and how they were identified, and the fee, if any. California Notary Public law requires a journal entry for every act.
- Notary Commission
- The authority granted by a state to act as a notary public, issued for a fixed term. A California commission is issued by the Secretary of State and carries statutory duties defined by state law.
- Notary Public
- A public officer commissioned by the state to serve as an impartial witness to the signing of documents, to verify signer identity, and to deter fraud. A notary confirms who signed and that they did so willingly — not that the document's contents are accurate or legally sound.
- Notary Signing Agent
- A notary public who has additional training to handle loan-document packages and typically carries a background check and errors-and-omissions coverage as required by lenders and title companies. The role adds document-handling competence on top of the notarial commission.
- Oath / Affirmation
- A spoken pledge administered by the notary. An oath is a solemn promise that invokes a Supreme Being; an affirmation is a solemn, secular equivalent with the same legal effect. One or the other accompanies a jurat and certain other acts.
- Principal (Signer)
- The person whose signature is being notarized — the individual who must personally appear before the notary, be identified, and sign or acknowledge the document.
- Remote Online Notarization (RON)
- A notarization performed over live audio-video where authorized by law, rather than with the signer physically present. Authority, technology standards, and eligibility vary by state and by the document involved.
- Signing Agent Background Check
- A screening a notary signing agent typically undergoes so lenders and title companies can meet their vendor-vetting requirements. It supports trust in loan-signing work but is separate from the state notary commission itself.
In Engagements
Consulting Terms
A few terms that come up around engagements and the way work is scoped.
- Due Diligence
- The careful investigation of a business, transaction, or decision before committing to it — reviewing the numbers, the risks, and the assumptions so a choice is made on evidence rather than enthusiasm.
- Engagement Letter
- The written agreement that opens a consulting engagement, setting out the scope, sequence, cadence, and fee before any work begins. Every engagement letter is written for the specific situation.
- Scope of Work
- The defined boundary of an engagement — what is included, what is not, and what would count as a change. Putting scope in writing keeps mission creep a separate, deliberate decision rather than a quiet expansion.
Before You Sign
Have a document coming up?
A definition is a starting point, not legal advice. If you have a real-estate, trust, or loan package on the horizon, the certificate and the identification requirements are worth confirming before signing day. Notarial services are provided as a courtesy to the public across Los Angeles County.
A Reference, Not Advice
Questions about a specific document?
These definitions are general and educational. For how they apply to your situation, reach the principal directly — a short conversation is often all it takes.
- Telephone
- 747-208-2074
- Coverage
- Greater Los Angeles County
