What does "Attest" mean in legal terms?

"Attest" in legal terms specifically refers to the act of bearing witness or certifying the truth of a document or a statement. This means that when a person attests to a document, they are confirming that they have observed the signing of the document and can verify its authenticity. In the context of notarization, the notary public often attests to the identity of the signers and the circumstances under which they signed the document. This process adds a layer of credibility and serves to protect against fraud.

While the other options involve important legal processes, they do not pertain directly to the definition of "attest." Certifying documents for notarization, drafting legal agreements, and filing legal complaints are all significant actions but do not embody the specific meaning of witnessing or affirming a document's truth that "attest" captures.