The Latin Notary vs. the Notary Public
Objectives
- Explain the Latin notary system
- Avoid misleading equivalents
- Describe public faith
Explanation
The Costa Rican notary is a lawyer who exercises 'fe pública' (public faith): documents executed before them are presumed authentic. A US notary public is usually a non-lawyer who verifies identity. When translating 'notario' for US clients, use 'Costa Rican notary (attorney with public faith)' rather than simply 'notary public', or add an explanation.
public faith
The legal presumption that a notary's statements in a deed are true (fe pública).
“The deed is covered by public faith.”
notarial protocol
The official bound book where a notary records deeds (protocolo).
“The original deed stays in the notarial protocol.”
certified copy (testimonio)
An official copy of a deed issued by the notary.
“The Registry requires the testimonio.”
impartiality
Treating all parties equally.
“The notary must act with impartiality.”
authentication
Certifying that a signature or document is genuine.
“Signature authentication is a common act.”