Notary Public and Notarial Services

 

 

 

Neither Laminated or Certified documents are accepted by DIRCO.

The signing requirements for notarial documents depend on the destination country. In some cases, the document must be signed only in the presence of a Notary Public, while other countries may require additional witnesses to be present alongside the Notary Public.

Once the document has been notarised, further steps may be required for international recognition. These include
Apostille certification by the High Court of South Africa (for countries part of the Hague Apostille Convention).
Authentication or legalisation by the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) or other relevant government offices (for countries not part of the Hague Convention).

The specific process will depend on the type of document and its intended destination. To ensure compliance, consult with a Notary Public familiar with international requirements

A notarised copy of a document is a verified true copy of the original. Notarisation serves as a legal safeguard to prevent fraud and confirm the document's authenticity. It is commonly required for legal proceedings, international transactions, business agreements, immigration processes, and property transfers.

A certified translation is one that fulfills the requirements in the country in question, enabling it to be used in formal procedures, with the translator accepting responsibility for its accuracy. In South Africa these translators are registered at the local High Court. These translations can be Apostilled or Attested for use outside of South Africa.
 

A Notary Public is an attorney admitted and authorised by the High Court of South Africa to witness signatures, draft and attest contracts or statements, and authenticate the validity of certain documents.  

Notaries are held to a higher standard of care than regular attorneys due to the ethical nature of their work and their specialised expertise in drafting and legalising important documents. As a result, the role of a Notary Public is highly regarded and trusted in legal and official matters.

Show all FAQs in Category

 

 

What Is a Notary Public?

A Notary Public is a specialized attorney authorized by the High Court to certify, witness, and draft legal documents. They ensure documents are legally binding, free from coercion, and meet the highest professional standards. Notaries play a crucial role in protecting the validity of your documents.

Notary Public

Key Responsibilities of a Notary Public

  • Identity Verification Confirming the identities of individuals signing documents.
  • Awareness Assurance Ensuring signatories fully understand the content and implications of the documents they are signing.
  • Administering Oaths Placing individuals under oath or affirmation when necessary.
  • Impartial Service Providing unbiased, fair, and equal treatment throughout the process.

Notarial Services We Provide

Documents Requiring Notarisation

Certain legal documents in South Africa must be notarized to meet legal requirements

  • Antenuptial Contracts – Essential for marriages out of community of property.
  • Long-Term Leases and Servitudes – Including personal and praedial servitudes.
  • Notarial Bonds – Securing movable property as collateral.
  • Cessions of Rights – Applicable for sectional title schemes.

Document Certification

We authenticate and certify a range of documents, including

  • Birth, marriage, and death certificates
  • Divorce decrees and single-status certificates
  • Police clearance certificates
  • Educational qualifications
  • Powers of attorney
  • Certified copies of IDs and passports

Specialized Notarial Services

Our notaries also offer specialized services, such as

  • Document Authentication – Ensuring compliance with local and international requirements.
  • Drafting and Notarising Agreements – Including antenuptial contracts and property leases.
  • Witnessing Signatures – Confirming signatories’ willingness and understanding.
  • Protesting Bills of Exchange – Ensuring compliance with commercial law.
  • Ship Protests – Assisting with maritime legal disputes.

Why Choose Our Notarial Services?

Expertise You Can Trust. Our notaries are highly skilled attorneys with specialized training in notarial law, ensuring every document is handled with accuracy and professionalism.
Comprehensive Legal Support that will oversee every stage of the process, from identity verification to final certification, with services recognized both locally and internationally. 
Efficient and Reliable Service as we streamline the notarial process to minimize delays, ensuring your legal needs are met quickly and effectively.

Contact Us for Professional Notarial Services.