New York State Notary Practice Exam

What is the testimony of a witness taken out of court before a notary or other person referred to as?

1. Deposition

2. Contract

3. Authentication

4. Conveyance

The correct answer is: Deposition

The testimony of a witness taken out of court before a notary or other authorized individual is known as a deposition. A deposition is a formal statement or testimony that is recorded for use in a legal proceeding, allowing parties to gather information before trial. It is an essential part of the discovery process in civil litigation, where witnesses provide their account of events under oath. The other options do not accurately describe this type of process. A contract refers to a legally binding agreement between parties, authentication involves the verification of documents or signatures, and conveyance pertains to the transfer of property or legal title from one party to another. Thus, the term deposition is specifically utilized in the context of legal testimony gathered outside of a courtroom setting.