This may involve checking the signature against known genuine versions of it, or getting the signature witnessed, notarized or guaranteed by a bank, etc.

The fact that the deed of appointment had been not only notarized by Argentina's chief notary, but also legalized by the British vice consul proved that the latter had found the acts of administration to be correct in the use of the territorial dominion exercised in the islands and lodged no claim over those titles.

The Adoption Act, as amended on 4 November 1998, combined the three documents previously necessary  the adoption registration, a written agreement and a notarized written agreement  into one single registration document, which served to strengthen the State's powers in the process and ensure protection of the child's rights through the involvement and oversight of government agencies.