Legal Definitions - attestation

Attestation is a type of confirmation or testimony. It is common to have a witness sign a legal document, such as a will or deed, to verify the authenticity of the signature and the contents of the document. This is done to preserve evidence and does not change the substance of the document.

In some U.S. states, attestation can also refer to the certification of a copy of a document by a certifying officer. The officer compares the copy with the original and signs the copy as a true copy.

When signing a will, a witness may attest to the fact that they saw the testator sign the document. This confirms the authenticity of the signature and the contents of the will.

Another example of attestation is when a notary public certifies a copy of a birth certificate. The notary compares the copy with the original and signs the copy to attest that it is a true copy.

These examples illustrate how attestation is used to confirm the authenticity of a document or signature.