Lawyer or Notary? What's the Difference Between Them?
by: Northwest Justice Project
Some differences between lawyers and notaries:
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Lawyers |
Notaries |
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Education normally required:
7 years of college after high school
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Education normally required:
Speak and write English
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| ATTORNEYS ARE AUTHORIZED TO: |
NOTARIES ARE AUTHORIZED TO: |
- advise clients regarding rights and opinions
- represent and speak on behalf of their clients in and out of court
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- witness and act - for example, verify the identity of someone signing a document, certify copies and receive protests regarding instruments of credit
- place a witness under oath
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A notary may not give legal advice unless the notary is also a licensed attorney.
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Lawyers |
Notaries |
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Exam:
In Washington, lawyers take a test that lasts three days |
Exam:
No exam. |
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Background:
- Proof of graduation from an accredited law school;
- Recommendation from 3 lawyers who all know tho candidate;
- Approval from the Washington State Supreme Court.
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Background:
Signatures of 3 people over the age of 18. |
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Protected Communications:
No one can force a lawyer to reveal the communications of their client. A lawyer could lose his or her license for revealing a client's secrets. |
Protected Communications:
None. |
To find out if someone is a lawyer in the state of Washington:
Call the Washington State Bar Association (WSBA) at 1-800-945-9722. For Spanish, ask to speak with Helen, or you can call her direct at (206) 727-8283. Ask the if person offering services is a licensed attorney and if, during that attorney's career, there have been any complaints filed against her/him.
To find out about your rights against a person that has deceived you:
Claims against attorneys:
You may call the WSBA at 1-800-945-9722. This office can tell you how to make a formal complaint. The office can also inform you about a fund for people who have suffered from fraud or incompetence of a lawyer.
Claims against any "consultant" (lawyer, notary or other):
Call CLEAR al 1-888-201-1014 for legal advice, free to low-income persons. Some of their attorneys speak Spanish. When you call you should be prepared to wait on the line because this service is very busy.
Call Northwest Immigrants Rights Project in Granger at 1-888-756-3641, or in Seattle at 1-800-445-5771. These are non-profit attorneys for low-income persons who specialize in immigration matters. This is also a very busy service.
You may also consult with a private attorney to find out if it would benefit you to file a lawsuit against the consultant;
- Notaries must pay a bond of $10,000 to ensure "proper performance of notarial acts."
- It is very common for attorneys to have private insurance in case the attorney makes a legal mistake.
- Under the Consumer Protection Act of Washington State, a victim of fraud who can prove systematic fraud against the public could win in court up to three times the damages suffered (up to $10,000).
You could report to the office of the Attorney General of Washington State, Consumer Protection Division, at 1-800-551-4636. If they receive many complaints about the same person, they may take action against that person.
You could report to the police. If there are many reports about the same person, the county prosecutor might take action.
This publication provides general information concerning your rights and responsibilities. It is not intended as a substitute for specific legal advice.
This information is current as of the date of its printing, April 2001.
© 2003 Northwest Justice Project.
1-888-201-1014, TTY 1-888-201-9737
(Permission for copying and distribution granted to the Washington State Access to Justice Network and individuals for non-commercial use only.)
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