cartório

A cartório, also known as a notary public's office, is an official entity responsible for authenticating documents and transactions in many civil law jurisdictions, particularly in Portuguese-speaking countries like Brazil and Portugal. These offices serve a crucial role in providing legal certainty and preventing fraud by ensuring that agreements and legal acts are properly documented and executed.

The primary functions of a cartório include registering births, marriages, deaths, and real estate transactions. They also authenticate signatures, certify copies of documents, and draft public deeds for various legal matters such as property sales, wills, and power of attorney. The notaries, who head these offices, are public officials appointed by the state and are entrusted with the responsibility of upholding the law and ensuring the integrity of the documents they process.

Documents authenticated by a cartório carry significant legal weight and are generally considered authentic and legally binding. This process ensures that all parties involved understand the terms of an agreement and that the transaction is conducted transparently and according to legal requirements. The existence of cartórios contributes to a stable legal framework and facilitates everyday life by providing a reliable system for managing important personal and financial affairs.