The deeds and instruments authorized by the Federal Commercial Notary Publics are considered public instruments; and the registries on their books, as well as certified photocopies and other copies issued from said deeds and entries in which said commercial notary public is authorized to act, are public documents which in court serve as conclusive evidence (prima facie evidence) of the contracts, legal acts and respective facts” (Article 18, third paragraph of the Federal Law for Commercial Notaries)