Glossary of terms used on this site

Anno Domini in the year of the Lord

To admit the existence or truth of a statement and accept responsibility.

A formal declaration before an authorized official (a notary public) by a person signing an  instrument that such execution is his or her free act and deed. The term also refers to the  notary's certificate on the document indicating that it was so acknowledged

To discharge the duties of an office; to give (as in the giving of an oath).

A written statement of facts made voluntarily and confirmed by the oath or affirmation of the party making it before an officer authorized to administer oaths, i.e., a notary public.

To make a solemn, formal declaration under the penalty of perjury that certain statements are true. An affirmation is legally equivalent to an oath and may be substituted for an oath when a document requires an oath for its execution, i.e., an affidavit.

To declare positively or firmly; maintain to be true. An affirmation replaces "swearing before God".

To attach or impress the notary seal to a document.

An Apostille Certificate is an official government Certificate issued in terms of the Hague Convention printed or stamped onto the reverse side of a single page document or attached to multiple paged documents with green notary ribbon making it become one inseparable document. It authenticates the seal and or signature of the public official or authority such as a notary or registrar issuing the document

A register in which a Competent Authority records the particulars of each Apostille issued. The Apostille Convention requires each Competent Authority to maintain a register of Apostille's (Art. 7(1).

To bear witness to or to certify.

To prove or verify as genuine.

A copy of a document or record, signed and certified as a true copy by the public who has compared the copy with the original record.

A supplement or addendum to a will.

To force into submission or compliance.