A Complete Guide To Notary

Notary Attestation is the first stage to get authentication for documents carrying Notary Stamp from Notary Public Office. Notarization legalizes your documents and simplifies further procedures. Notaries or Public Notaries are assigned by the Central Government and State Government to the whole country or a particular state. Notarization makes a document authenticated for attestations like Banks, the Home Department or Human Resource Department (HRD), Embassy legalizations, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), and other financial institutions.

 

Inspired by an article: https://lawyers.mysore.servicemall.in/articles/a-complete-guide-to-notary/a-complete-guide-to-notary.html

About Notary

What Is Indian Notary?

 

 

According to Indian Law, a Notary Public or Notary is a person who is authorized to carry out specific legal formalities/activities. A Notary Public's primary role is to act as an impartial witness while discharging fraud deterrent activities related to legal documents.

A Notary Public's primary role is to act as an impartial witness while discharging fraud deterrent activities related to legal documents. Such an act is usually referred to as notarization.

Who Can Be A Notary Public In India?

  • To become a notary in India, you must have: worked as a professional advocate for ten years or seven years in a specific category or as a woman.
  • Belong to the Indian Legal Services Department.
  • Work in a state or central government and have specialized legal skills as an advocate.
  • Worked as an officer in the judge's department of a general or the military.

Who Can Notarize A Document In India?

1) The purpose of notarization is to certify genuineness and proper execution of documents to prevent fraud. 

2) Notarisation is done by a notary public appointed by the State or Central Government. He is also authorized to administer an oath and take an affidavit from any person.

 3)A notarized document is complete once the notary signs it and stamps it with a notary seal, his registration number, and date. He also makes an entry of the notarial act in his register.

4) A notary is considered an impartial witness who verifies that parties to an agreement have signed it and have entered into the agreement knowingly and willingly.

5) The Notary should display his fee both inside and outside his chamber.

 

Can Indian Notaries Practice In Court?

Practice legal/illegal advertising without permission. If you have not obtained a practicing lawyer's license, the Notary shall not act as a lawyer. A notary without a practicing lawyer's permission shall not provide legal advice or accept the cost of legal advice. This includes providing any advice on transactions, preparing forms, interpreting forms, and their meanings, providing signatories with advice on the type of notarization (sworn or acknowledgment) required, or declaring or implying powers that the Notary does not possess in any advertisements.

How Do I Get An Affidavit Notarized In India?

To obtain an affidavit in India, one must execute or swear their affidavit in front of an approved notary. The affidavit must be made on "non-judicial stamp paper," which costs about 20 Indian rupees (INR) [or approximately 0.54 Canadian dollars (CAD) (Canada 28 Mar. 2007)]. The Notary must certify the attestation with his seal along with a notary stamp, and this attestation "should be entered in the Notarial Registration Book."

Is Notary A Gazetted Officer?

A notary is a professional and is not an officer of the government. The sine qua non of a person being a gazetted officer is his being an officer of the Central or State Government. A professional who is not answerable to the government as one of its employees or officers cannot be a gazetted officer. It is not the publication of a person's name in the official gazette that makes him a gazetted officer. Still, he's occupying a definite official status in the hierarchy of government service. Therefore, it is impossible to accept the learned author's view earlier and relied on by counsel for the petitioner in this regard.

Is A Lawyer Gazetted?

When government officials are mentioned in the gazette issued by the Indian government, they are referred to as gazette officials. After notifying a lawyer's appointment through the Indian government's gazette, he will serve as a gazette official. Lawyers appointed by the government as a Notary, pleader, prosecutor are gazetted officers. But when a lawyer does his private practice, then he is not a gazetted officer.

Who Can Attest Affidavit In India?

The person who prepares the affidavit is referred to as the "deponent" or an Affiant. The person who has the right to certify the certificate can be a magistrate, who may, in turn, be either a Judicial or an Executive Magistrate, a Notary Public or a Commissioner of Oaths depending upon the affidavit which needs to be attested.

Is Notary Valid Without Registration?

 

 

 

 

Notarised document about immovable property transaction is not valid in the law's eyes, only registered documents will be legally valid. And what happens if the seller refused to execute the sale deed after registering the sale agreement, i.e., "BYANA" with the Notary? Do I lose everything, Money, and Plot?

Then you may have to file a suit for specific performance of a contract to seek your relief.

Rest all other things are not to be bothered about, at least for the present, go for practical procedures so that you are not cheated, and ensure proper legal relief to keep in view the future.

Notarised agreement in respect of immovable property is not legally enforceable in the court.

What Is Notarization Of A Document?

 

 

 

Notarization is an official process to prevent fraud, which ensures that transactions are authentic and credible documents. This is a three-part process performed by a notary, including vetting, certification, and record keeping. Notarization is sometimes referred to as "notarization." The most important thing is that notarization is guaranteed by an appropriately appointed and impartial notary public. The document is valid, its signature is genuine, and its signatory behavior is not coerced or intimidated. It is hoped that the terms of the document will have full effect.

The center value of notarization lies in the Notary's fair selection of the signer's identity, willingness, and consciousness. This screening can detect and stop file fraud and help protect private citizens' rights and property from forgers, identity thefts, and the vulnerable. The notarization process prevents countless forgery, coercion, and incompetent signatures every day; otherwise, these signatures will overwhelm our court system and undermine the trusted network, thus allowing our civil society to function.

How Long Is The Notarized Signature Valid?

The notary public certifies the validity of the signed identity, not the document itself. Therefore, the answer is that it will never expire. However, if the person is an upcoming spouse, it may not be enforceable. You should consult an experienced attorney who can evaluate your situation based on all the facts.

Can You Make Copies Of A Notarized Document?

 

 

A Notary Public verifies the originality of a signature. The document itself can be a copy, but the signature has to be original. Some documents (like birth certificates) are considered "special," and only official copies are accepted.

What is expected is to get a photocopy of a document and then swear in front of a Notary that it is an original copy of the original. Alternatively, you can make a sworn statement, and a Notary can verify that you're sworn in front of them that the statement is correct.

A notarized document is a safe way to sign a contract, but the document is still legally binding if it is not notarized. Be careful with the wording of the document because you need to include all essential terms. If you forget to include the item in the document, it does not exist in the agreement. The wording clarifies what each party is legally bound to do. If a contract is poorly worded, it can lead to misunderstandings. The contract is still legally binding, but the judge can interpret the words on their terms.

What Can Notaries Sign?

While not every single important document requires notarization, some documents requiring these witnessed, verified kinds of signatures include:

  • Articles of incorporation.
  • Memorandum of understanding documents.
  • Vendor contracts.
  • Commercial leases.
  • Employment contracts.
  • Construction and loan agreements.

What Is The Difference Between Notary And Registration?

Registered documents are more authentic as one copy stays in the government database which could be a strong proof of the transaction between the parties. In the process of Notarization, only a short description of the document is maintained.

What Makes A Notarized Document Invalid?

Notaries often skip the actual act of taking oaths, resulting in documents being declared invalid by the court or rejected by the accepting party. Certain documents do not require the signer to guarantee the authenticity of the content of the document. Instead, the signer must confirm to the authorized person that he has understood the document and is signing or has signed the document voluntarily. Similarly, the "authorized person" is a notary, an official authorized by the state. The Notary is responsible for identifying the signatory, reasonably assessing the signatory's understanding of the document and signing intention, and filling in the required notarization. In the case of confirmation, the Notary may or may not witness the document's signature; however, when the Notary completes the notarization, the signatory must always be present in person.

What Happens If You Let Your Notary Expire?

 

 

 

 

Confirm When You Can Renew Your Notary Commission

The first step should always be to confirm when you can start the renewal process. How long it takes to process a Notary commission varies depending on the state you are commissioned in, so you need to be careful about submitting your application.

If you wait too long, your new commission will arrive after your old one has expired, which means you won't be able to notarize until your new one arrives. However, some states will not accept a renewal application if it is submitted too soon.

Does A Notarized Document Ever Expire?

The notary commission expiration date indicates that the document was notarized when the Notary had notarizing authority. Your state may not need that your Notary's commission expiration date be part of your notary seal's required elements or appear on the document for it to be valid. Even if the commission expiration date is not required by law, many document recipients will reject the notarization if it is missing.

How Can I Obtain A Certified Copy?

How Do I Certify a Document Copy?

  1. The custodian of the document requests a certified copy.
  2. The Notary compares the original and the copy.
  3. The Notary attests to the accuracy of the copy.

How Long Is A Notarized Document Valid In India?

six months

Answers (2) Notarial Affidavits denotes verification of a person making a legal declaration. It is used as documentary evidence before the Court of Law. However, a specific declaration before any concerned authority like LIC, Bank, or any govt office is valid for six months from the date of swearing-in.

According to Indian Law, a Notary Public or Notary is a person who is authorized to carry out specific legal formalities/activities. This would include drawing up and validating contracts, deeds, and other such legal documents. A Notary Public's primary role is to act as an impartial witness while discharging fraud deterrent activities related to legal documents. Such an act is usually referred to as notarization.

How Can I Notarize A Document In India?

Document Notarization in India: Important pointers

  1. An application form duly-filled for notarization/ attestation;
  2. Original and photocopy of the documents;
  3. Covering letter signed with attestation purposes bearing the commercial attestation documents list from the applicant's company;
  4. Covering letter signed with attestation purposes for applicant's civil use;
  5. Applicant's and agent's passport, original, and photocopy for civil attestation purposes.

How Long Does A Notary Stamp Last?

Four years

Most states require the notary seal to include the notary public's name, the words "notary public," and the date the commission expires. In Texas and California, this is four years, after which the Notary must renew his or her commission with the Secretary of State. However, just because the commission seal date has expired does not mean the notarized document is no longer valid. The document is valid as long as the Notary notarized it before the commission expiration date.

Notary For Different States

Is Indian Notary Valid In The USA?

To apply for a notary service at the Embassy or Consulates in India, you have to schedule an appointment. Yes, we perform notarial services for non-American citizens – but only if the notarial is used in the United States.

Can I Notarize A Document For Another Country?

Notaries in US embassies and consulates abroad can provide services similar to the functions of US notaries. It is also possible to first notarize the documents by a local foreign notary public and authenticate the documents for use in the United States.

Can I Get Notarized Online?

Now you can connect with the commissioned notary public through live video to notarize documents entirely online. You can avoid the hassle of finding a notary by contacting the Notary online using any iPhone, iPad, or 24x7 computer. To get something that is notarized, do the following:

To get something that is notarized, do the following:

 

  • Download the Notarize Mobile App or Contact with a Notary Public on Your Computer.
  • Upload the original, unsigned document. Please do not sign it before uploading! You must sign with a notary public.
  •  Use Notarize's digital tool to pre-fill all required fields (e.g., name, date).
  • Verify your identity.
  • When you are ready, please contact the notary public. You will be connected in a live video call with a licensed notary public in less than three minutes, 24/7.
  • The Notary will guide you through live video; please use your iPhone or computer to sign. 
  • You're done! Download your notarized PDF.
  • Print it or share it online.

How To Obtain Documents Notarized In Bangalore?

The steps involved in "notarizing" a document: 

  • Identify the person in front of a notary by referring to necessary evidence, including passports, driving licenses, birth certificates, diplomatic documents, etc. 
  • In the case of land ownership or significant rights generated by reference, signatures can also be verified, recorded, and compared. 
  • Record the proof of identity in the notary book. 
  • Make an affidavit or statement and record the facts. 
  • Record the person's signature in the register. 
  • Seal or stamp and sign the document.
  •  Record all steps in the register.
  •  Deliver the completed original to the person who appears. 
  • In some cases, a copy of the file is kept in the register. 
  • Charge people who incur service charges.

Notary Cost

How Much Does Notary Cost In India?

The court fee stamps are Rs 25, and the affidavit is Rs 15. Suppose the affidavit is to be used outside of India. In that case, the Notary may charge a fee of 150 as per the official list. Since most people do not know that there is a prescribed fee, even Suresh Borate, the Pune Notary Public Association president, said that such fees could easily be overcharged. If someone charges too much, they should file a formal complaint. He said that we would also forward the complaint to the Legal Department. The lawyer admitted that the fees are too high, depending on the documents' urgency and nature.

How Much Does A Notary Cost At A Bank?

Standard notary fee

The notarization fee usually depends on where you get the notarization, and the states have set maximum allowable fees. The Notary can charge any fees up to the maximum amount. Standard notarization fees range from US$0.25 to US$20, depending on the state or region, and are charged per signature or per person. But in some states such as Iowa, notaries can set fees. Mortgage closure is also usually more expensive than standard notarization.

What Are The Notary Fees For A Special And A General Power Of Attorney In India?

A notary in India is entitled to charge a fee of Rs.35/ per signature while attesting or authenticating and attesting any document.

There is no classification of it being an affidavit or an extraordinary power of attorney, or a general power of attorney.

However, if the said power of attorney falls in the category of foreign documents, then the fee shall be Rs.200/.

References & Citation

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Notary

https://nlla-india.webs.com/

https://www.indialawyers.org/

https://www.nla.org/

https://www.uianet.org/en