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Reference.org
Notary
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<p>A notary is a person authorised to perform acts in legal affairs, in particular witnessing signatures on documents. The form that the notarial profession takes varies with local legal systems. </p><p>A notary, while a legal professional, is distinct from an <a href="/facts/Advocate/eRIXuCDT">advocate</a> in that they do not represent the person who engages their services, or act in contentious matters. </p><p>The <a href="/facts/Worshipful_Company_of_Scriveners/S7EvazXG">Worshipful Company of Scriveners</a> use an old English term for a notary, and are an association of notaries practising in <a href="/facts/Central_London/GchDD3Jm">central London</a> since 1372. </p>