What is the difference between an Attestation and a notary?

Attestation is the process of declaring or certifying that something is true or authentic, whereas a notary is an official who is authorized by the state to perform formal acts such as witnessing signatures, administering oaths, and certifying documents. Here are the key differences:

Attestation:

Involves a declaration that a document or fact is genuine.

Can be performed by any competent person acting as a witness or certifier.

Often used to affirm the authenticity of copies, signatures, or statements in a more general sense.

Notary:

A public official appointed by the state with the legal authority to authenticate documents.

Verifies the identity of the signatories, witnesses the signing process, and administers oaths.

Provides a notarized certificate and seal, which gives legal weight and helps prevent fraud.

In summary, while attestation can be a broader and sometimes informal process of certifying authenticity, notarization is a formal process conducted by a legally empowered official to ensure that documents are executed properly.