Common Notary Terms Explained in Plain English

If you’ve ever looked at a legal or notarized document and felt confused by the wording, you’re definitely not alone. Many common notary and document-related terms sound more complicated than they really are.

Here are a few commonly used terms explained in simpler, everyday language.

Principal

In many notarization situations, the “principal” generally refers to the person whose signature or action is central to the document being notarized.

For example, if someone is signing a document in front of a notary, that signer may be referred to as the principal.

Execution

The word “execution” in document terminology usually refers to the act of officially signing and completing a document.

It does not mean enforcement or punishment in this context. It simply refers to properly signing or carrying out the document.

Grantor

A “grantor” is commonly a person transferring an interest, right, or ownership to another person or entity.

This term is often seen in property-related or real estate documents.

Grantee

A “grantee” is generally the person or party receiving an interest, right, or ownership from the grantor.

You will often see “grantor” and “grantee” used together in certain legal or property documents.

Acknowledgment

An acknowledgment is a type of notarization where a signer confirms that they signed a document willingly.

In many situations, the signer may acknowledge their signature before the notary rather than signing directly in front of them.

Jurat

A jurat is a type of notarization where the signer swears or affirms that the contents of the document are truthful.

This type of notarization typically requires the signer to appear before the notary and take an oath or affirmation.

Transaction

In general terms, a transaction simply refers to an exchange, agreement, or business process between parties.

In document and notary settings, this term may refer to activities such as real estate closings, financial agreements, or other official processes involving signed documents.

Signer

A signer is the individual signing the document.

Depending on the document, there may be one signer or multiple signers involved.

Final Thoughts

Notary and document terminology can sometimes sound intimidating, especially when people encounter these words for the first time during important transactions or legal processes.

Understanding a few basic terms can make documents feel much less confusing and help people feel more comfortable navigating the notarization process.

You may also hear people refer to a “notarial certificate” or “notary block” when discussing documents. These terms refer to the section completed by the notary during the notarization process.