Translation guide
A public official authorized to witness signatures, administer oaths, and certify documents. In Japan, the role is similar but has specific legal titles and procedures.
Referring to the profession or office in general, or when explaining the concept.
Standard term for a notary public in Japan. Used in legal and official contexts.
You need a notary public to witness the signing of the contract.
Referring to the physical office or institution where notarial acts are performed.
Referring to the act of notarizing a document or the notarial deed itself.
Referring to the official seal used by a notary, or the act of affixing it.
The official seal of a notary public. Less commonly used in everyday conversation; usually implied in the process.
In Japan, notaries (公証人) are appointed by the Minister of Justice and are usually experienced legal professionals. Their role is similar to civil law notaries. For simple document notarization, you typically visit a 公証役場. Unlike some countries, notaries in Japan do not handle real estate closings; those are done by judicial scriveners (司法書士).
A 行政書士 (administrative scrivener) can prepare documents and give advice but cannot notarize documents. Only a 公証人 can perform notarial acts. If you need a signature witnessed or a document certified, you need a 公証人, not an 行政書士.
The notary public office. This is where you go to get documents notarized.
I had my will notarized at the notary public office.
A notarized document or notarial deed. Commonly used for wills, contracts, and agreements.
We put our divorce agreement into a notarized document.
To have something notarized. Literally 'receive notarization'.
This document needs to be notarized.
The document has the notary's seal on it.