notarisation

Notarisation is the process by which a notary public witnesses and certifies the execution of documents, verifies the identity of signatories, and affixes a notarial seal or certificate. The goal is to provide assurance that the document was properly executed and that the signatures are genuine, which may be required for legal or financial transactions.

Notaries public are public officers whose powers and duties vary by jurisdiction. In common law countries, a notary primarily authenticates signatures and administers oaths; in many civil law jurisdictions, notaries are trained lawyers who draft, authenticate, and preserve instruments with broader legal effect.

Typical steps: the notary verifies identity (often with government-issued ID), confirms the signer understands the document, witnesses signing, may administer an oath or affirmation (jurat), then attaches a certificate and seal. Notarisation may include certifying copies of documents or attesting a signature on a copy. Types include acknowledgements, jurats, and attestations.

International use: many documents intended for use abroad may require an apostille under the Hague Convention; this certifies the notary's authority and the authenticity of the signature for foreign jurisdictions. Some countries require legalization or consularisation instead of or in addition to an apostille.

Limitations: notarisation does not guarantee the content’s accuracy, only the proper execution and identity verification. It does not replace legal advice; for complex transactions, parties may still need legal counsel.

Recent developments: digital notarisation and remote online notarization allow witnesses and identities to be verified online under specified rules; not all jurisdictions recognize such practices.