notary

[/ˈnoʊtəri/]
nounpl: notaries
tabelião
1. A public official who witnesses the signing of documents and certifies their authenticity
You need to have your signature notarized by a notary before submitting the contract.
Você precisa ter sua assinatura autenticada por um tabelião antes de enviar o contrato.
2. A person authorized by the state or government to attest to the validity of signatures and administer oaths
The notary public stamped and signed the affidavit.
O tabelião carimbou e assinou a declaração jurada.
In Brazil, notaries (tabeliães) are highly regulated professionals with significant legal authority, working in official offices called 'cartórios'. They handle far more extensive duties than U.S. notaries, including real estate transactions, document authentication, and legal certifications. In the USA, notaries are more limited in scope and are often found in banks, law offices, or working independently. The role is less prestigious and requires less formal training than in Brazil.
Synonyms / Sinônimos
notary publicpublic notaryofficial witness

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
tabelião
Standard term used throughout Brazil for a notary public
São Paulo
tabelião
Common usage, may also refer to 'cartório' (notary office)
Rio de Janeiro
tabelião
Standard usage in legal contexts
Portugal
notário
Portuguese variant; different legal system with cartórios

Related Words

notarizenotarizedauthenticationattestationofficial sealsignatureaffidavit

Related Idioms & Phrases

notary public
get something notarized
notary stamp
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