Legal Definitions - attestation

Attestation refers to the act of formally confirming or certifying something, often by signing a document as a witness or an authorized official. Its primary purpose is to provide reliable evidence that an event occurred as stated, that a signature is genuine, or that a document is an accurate copy of an original.

Here are a few examples to illustrate attestation:

• Imagine a situation where someone is selling a piece of land and needs to sign a deed (the legal document transferring ownership). To ensure the deed is legally sound and to prevent future disputes, a notary public might be present. The notary would verify the seller's identity and witness them signing the deed. The notary then signs and stamps the deed themselves, thereby attesting that the seller genuinely signed the document in their presence. This act provides official confirmation of the signature's authenticity, making the deed more secure and legally binding.

• Consider a company holding its annual board meeting. The corporate secretary is responsible for taking detailed notes and compiling the meeting minutes, which are the official record of decisions made and actions taken. After drafting the minutes, the secretary reviews them for accuracy and then signs them, often stating that they are a "true and accurate record." By signing, the secretary is attesting to the correctness of the minutes, confirming that they faithfully represent the discussions and resolutions of the board meeting. This ensures the company has a reliable historical record.

• Suppose you need to provide a government agency with a copy of your university diploma, but they require a "certified true copy." You might take your original diploma and a photocopy to the university registrar's office. An authorized official there would compare your photocopy against the original diploma. If they match, the official would then sign and stamp the photocopy, perhaps writing "Certified True Copy." This action is an attestation, where the official formally certifies that the copy is an exact and authentic reproduction of your original document, making it acceptable for official use.