A person authorized to attest to and certify documents is a:

A person authorized to attest to and certify documents is a notary public. This role involves a variety of responsibilities, including witnessing signatures on important documents, administering oaths, and ensuring that the signer understands the contents of the documents they are signing. Notaries act as impartial witnesses to the signing of documents, which helps prevent fraud and verifies the identity of the signatories.

In contrast, a bailiff is typically responsible for maintaining order in the courtroom and assisting the judge, while a party refers to someone directly involved in a legal proceeding, such as a plaintiff or defendant. A court reporter, on the other hand, is responsible for transcribing spoken dialogue and maintaining a written record of court proceedings, but they do not have the authority to certify documents. Thus, the notary public clearly fulfills the specific function of certifying and attesting to documents, making it the correct choice.