notary /ˈnoʊtəɹi/ noun3 •A lawyer of noncontentious private civil law who drafts, takes, and records legal instruments for private parties, and provides legal advice, but does not appear in court on his or her clients' behalf.Although advocates sometimes get involved in drafting instruments, notaries continue to do most of this work in civil law nations. — 2007 •A public notary, a legal practitioner who prepares, attests to, and certifies documents, witnesses affidavits, and administers oaths. •(US, Canada) A notary public, a public officer who serves as an impartial witness to the signing of important documents, but who is not authorised to practise law.Although signed by a notary in New York, it lacked a physical description or documentation. It could have been issued to anyone, or resold to anyone willing to change his name. — 2001 formsnotaries
