Notarization and Attestation – What’s the Difference?

Do you think the terms ‘notarization’ and ‘attestation’ refer to the same act? You are wrong! But, don’t worry because you are not alone.

When it comes to procedures that require submitting documents, like the legal processes, a lot of people get confused between the words attested and notarized and wrongly assume that they mean the same thing.

We know such terms can be confusing. This is why we are here to help you understand the difference between the two.

What is Notarization?

It is the process of giving the verdict regarding the authenticity and reliability of a document. The notarization process involves signing of a document, by the parties involved, in front of a notary public to make sure it is not done forcefully or under any pressure. It also requires the notary public to verify the authenticity of the document as well as the identity of the signee.

A notarized document should also have the sign, seal, and other important details of the notary public. The notarization process is designed to avoid frauds in sensitive and important matters, such as issuing a power of attorney, buying and selling of property, and giving consent for a minor to travel without one or both parents.

In some countries, you need to hire an agent or a lawyer who accompanies you to the office of the notary public. If you are looking for a notarization service in California, get in touch with SLO Notary and schedule an appointment for your preferred time.

What is Attestation?

Attestation is a process in which a person who is not involved in the transaction witnesses it happening between the involved two parties. The third person then needs to state that they witnessed the two parties signing the documents and sign under it.

In simple words, a process that requires you to provide witnesses basically refers to attestation. A common example where people are asked to provide attested documents is when the foreign spouse of an American citizen applies for a Green Card.

Unlike notarization, attestation can be performed by a neighbor, a friend, or a colleague – basically anyone who’s not a blood relative and is of 18 years or older. However, it could take a little more time as compared to the notarization process because you are usually required to provide more than one witness.

Conclusion

Identifying the difference between notarization and attestation may seem a bit difficult at first, but the processes are pretty simple. The only key difference is that notarization is only performed by a notary public whereas anyone can do attestation.

Summary

When it comes to procedures that require submitting documents, like the legal processes, a lot of people get confused between the words attested and notarized and wrongly assume that they mean the same thing. This article helps you understand the difference between the two.