Notaris

Notaris, or notary, is a legal professional whose functions center on authenticating documents and drafting instruments that have public or legal effect. The exact role varies by jurisdiction, but two broad traditions are common: civil-law notaries and notaries public in common-law systems.

In civil-law jurisdictions such as the Netherlands and Belgium, a notaris (notaris) is a fully qualified legal professional who drafts, authenticates, and registers important documents. Notarial acts seal real estate deeds, wills, prenups, company formations, and other significant transactions, and they are executed with public faith, meaning the acts are presumed legally valid and binding. Notaries in these systems typically provide legal advice within their specialized practice and may maintain official registries of documents and rights.

In common-law jurisdictions, a notary public is usually a separate official whose primary function is to witness signatures, administer oaths, and certify copies of documents for international use. Their authority to draft or interpret instruments is more limited, and they are generally commissioned by a government authority and subject to renewal and professional oversight.

Notaries also exist in other civil-law countries, including Indonesia, where notaris perform similar tasks: drafting and registering deeds, corporate documents, and property transfers under the framework of public faith and formal requirements. Across jurisdictions, notaris contribute to legal certainty and cross-border recognition of documents, especially in transactions involving real property, estates, business entities, and international dealings.

Education and licensing typically require a law degree, professional training, and passing national examinations, with membership in a notarial chamber or bar association in many countries.