noun
notary public; notary
A legal professional authorized to authenticate documents, administer oaths, and perform other official acts. The term is used in formal and legal contexts.
契約書に署名する前に、公証人の認証を受ける必要がある。
Before signing the contract, you need to have it notarized by a notary public.
彼は公証人として、遺言書の作成を手伝った。
As a notary public, he assisted in drafting the will.
Compound of 公 (public), 証 (proof/certification), and 人 (person). The term is a direct translation of the Western legal concept of 'notary public'.