Legal Articles

A specialist type of an admitted attorney who drafts and presides over the signing, certification and legalizing of documents as authentic and official, is known as a Notary Public.

Most of us have seen the word Notary written on the billboards at some attorneys’ offices, but not all. This is because not all attorneys have the designation of Notary Public. It is an office endowed with an increased measure of trust.

Notary Public in South Africa

Owing to a higher standard of care, diligence and ethics required in the execution, drafting and certification of some documents for acceptance and use in the country or abroad, the designation of Notary Public is held in high esteem in its functions.

Some documents will need the presiding of a Notary Public for them to be accepted as legal and authentic.

Some of the functions of the Notary Public include:

1. Keeping of a Protocol and Register;
2. Witnessing of signatures and the identity of the parties;
3. Certify the execution and authenticity of documents;
4. Drafting of certain documents e.g Antenuptial Agreements, Trust Deeds, Notarial Bonds, Deeds of Servitude;
5. Registration of the documents;
6. Safekeeping of the documents ;
7. Ascertain the formalities attached to execution of documents;
8. Confidentiality and privacy in the matters of the clients;

Van Deventer & Van Deventer Incorporated – Notary Public in Cape Town

It is mandatory for Notaries to keep a protocol and a register where the record of all the deeds that are executed through their facilitation are kept in chronological order. In the execution of these documents, certain formalities must be observed with diligence.

The preparation and drafting of these documents must also benefit from a higher standard of skill as well as in all other functions.

Contact us for more information.

The information contained in this site is provided for informational purposes only, and should not be construed as legal advice on any subject matter. One should not act or refrain from acting on the basis of any content included in this site without seeking legal or other professional advice. The contents of this site contain general information and may not reflect current legal developments or address one’s peculiar situation. We disclaim all liability for actions one may take or fail to take based on any content on this site.