notary public

noun

plural

notaries public 

1. a public officer or other person authorized to authenticate contracts, acknowledge deeds, take affidavits, protest bills of exchange, take depositions, etc.

notary public

noun

1. a public official, usually a solicitor, who is legally authorized to administer oaths, attest and certify certain documents, etc

Word History and Origins

Origin of notary public¹

First recorded in 1490–1500