Notary Services Glossary beginning with R

The act, subsequent to a treaty being negotiated, that a government commits itself to adhere to that treaty.

Commonly used in connection with the recognition by one state of 1) the existence of another state (for example when a new one is formed), or 2) the existence of a government which is in effective control of a state. The term "de facto recognition" means recognition that a state, or a government of a state, in fact exists - but it also means the withholding of full official recognition. When full official recognition is extended, it is termed "de jure recognition".

A document that the recording authority (such as B.C. Vital Statistics) is authorized to record. Please see 'Vital Record'. Also a document such as a Deed that is recorded in a US Country Recroder's Office for the transfer of property title.

Seals can be embossed directly onto a document, or over foil that has been applied to the paper first. Usually, the foil is gold or red. All variations are legal, provided they are issued by a person that is licensed to place the seal on the document. If a notary seal is embossed directly onto paper (without foil), it is not visible on a photocopy, so that is why many jurisdications make foil underlays a statutory requirement. 

Brosgall Legal applies a permanent red or gold foil seal on our notarial certificate face page, which we then emboss with our notary seal. Not only does this increase the visability of our notary seal on the notarial certificate, but it also makes the seal impression photographically reproducible. 

In general, a seal should be sharp, legible, permanent and photographically reproducible, and must not obscure the signatures or other parts of the document.  

Seals at one point in antiquity were called Golden Bulls. The term Bull comes from the Latin term Bulla, because whether made of wax, lead, or gold, the material making the seal had to be melted to soften it and take on an impression: From the Latin bullire, 'to boil'.  The wax was typicall red, which is where the term "red seal" originates.

Please see 'Seal' for further information.

A with prejudice concession made by a party to give up all claims in regards to an alleged tort or contract.  A Release will form part of a settlement agreement.

The formal rejection of something. The act of giving up a right, such as a right of inheritance, citizenship, a gift under a will, or abandoning the right to collect a debt on a promissory note. 

A Representation Agreement is a planning document that enables you to appoint a Representative to take care of your personal and health care decisions if you are unable to do so. Unlike a Power of Attorney which covers your financial and legal affairs, a Representation Agreement covers health and personal care issues. There are two versions:

• Standard (Section 7) Agreements; which cover routine decisions.
• Enhanced (Section 9) Agreements; which provide broader powers, and allows you to specify who has the right to make both minor and major health care decisions, including end of life decisions, on your behalf.

Having the authority to act for and on behalf of a person, corporation, partnership, trust, or other entity as:

• An authorized officer, agent, or partner
• A public officer, personal representative, or guardian
• An attorney-in-fact for a principal
• An authorized representative
• Any other capacity recited in the instrument

Written statement that one is resigning an office or position.

This is a numismatic (study of currency) term, but has wider usage. The 'reverse' is the back of a coin, paper money, flag, seal, medal, or document. It is the opposite of 'obverse' or the front face of these items.

In the notarial world, these terms are sometimes used to label or indicate the reverse (back) and obverse (front) side of a drivers licence or other document when making notarized or certified copies.

The obverse of a coin is commonly called heads, because it often depicts the head of a prominent person, and the reverse is known as tails.  Hence "heads or tails".

The term 'front' is more commonly used than obverse, while the use of 'reverse' is widespread.

To cancel or rescind.

Riders (or addenda) are special attachments (separate sheets) that become part of a contract in certain situations.