notaarien

Notaries are legal professionals who authenticate and attest documents, witness signatures, and administer oaths. The exact role and powers of notaries vary by jurisdiction, but the term generally covers civil-law notaries as well as notaries public in common-law countries. Notarial acts are intended to carry evidentiary weight in legal proceedings.

In civil-law systems, notaries are public officers with broad responsibilities. They draft, certify, and preserve contracts, deeds, wills, and other important documents. Notaries in these systems often provide legal advice on form and effect, ensure that documents meet formal requirements, and record acts in notarial archives. Their authentic acts are typically regarded as proof of the contents and signatures involved.

In common-law jurisdictions, notaries public perform a narrower set of functions. They primarily witness signatures, administer oaths, verify identity, and certify copies of documents. They do not usually draft or interpret deeds or contracts, and their authority is typically limited to the act of authentication rather than substantive legal advice. Notaries are private individuals regulated by state or national law.

Qualifications and appointments vary by jurisdiction but commonly include completion of a legal education or professional training, passing examinations, and appointment by a government authority or professional body. Notaries may be subject to ethical codes, licensing renewals, and continuing education.

Notarial acts provide formal assurance in commercial and legal transactions, help prevent fraud, and facilitate cross-border matters by providing consistent evidentiary standards and procedures that courts recognize across jurisdictions.