Notary attestation is the process of officially verifying the authenticity of a document by a government-authorized Notary Public. It ensures that the document is genuine, legally valid, and accepted by authorities in India and abroad. Whether for education, property transactions, or travel, notary attestation helps prevent fraud and builds trust in the document’s credibility.
What is Notary Attestation?
Notary attestation meaning refers to the official act performed by a Notary Public, a person appointed by the government with the authority to certify documents. This process involves the Notary verifying the identity of the person signing a document (the affiant), witnessing the signature, and then placing their own signature and official seal on the document. This certification, or notary attestation certificate, confirms that the document is authentic and was signed by the correct person. This entire process is governed by the Notaries Act, 1952, in India.
Importance of Notary Attestation
The importance of notary attestation lies in its role as a fundamental check against fraud. Having a document notarised provides a layer of trust and security for all parties involved.
- Legally Verifies Authenticity: It serves as official proof that a document and the signatures on it are genuine.
- Required for Official Transactions: Many institutions require it. Banks, property registrar offices, and government departments often require a notarised affidavit or document.
- Prevents Fraud and Forgery: The Notary's verification of identity prevents people from signing documents under a false name, thereby protecting against fraud. Understanding the full duties of a notary public helps appreciate this role.
- Prerequisite for Further Legalization: For documents intended for international use (like a university degree for a foreign job), notary attestation is the mandatory first step before it can be submitted for Apostille or Embassy attestation.
Types of Documents for Notary Attestation
A wide variety of documents require notary public attestation to be considered valid for official use.(1)
Personal Documents
These are documents related to an individual's personal identity and status.
- Examples: Affidavits, educational certificates (degrees, diplomas, mark sheets), birth and death certificates, marriage certificates, PAN cards, passport copies, and driving licenses. For instance, processes like name change process after marriage or updating how to change name in educational certificates require notarized affidavits.
Property and Legal Documents
These documents relate to the ownership and transfer of assets or legal declarations.
- Examples: Sale deeds, lease or rental agreements, gift deeds, wills, partnership deeds, and various types of legal affidavits. The difference between notary and registration is important here, as notarization is just one step in validating property documents, which also need registration.
Commercial Documents
These are documents used by businesses and corporate entities for their operations.
- Examples: Power of Attorney documents, business contracts, articles of association, memorandums of association, and financial statements that need to be presented to authorities.
NRI or International Use Documents
These are documents that need to be presented to foreign authorities, embassies, or consulates.
- Examples: Passport copies, birth certificates, marriage certificates, police clearance certificates, and educational degrees required for visa applications, foreign employment, or university admissions abroad.
Documents Required for Notary Attestation
To complete the process of notary attestation, you must present a specific set of documents to the Notary Public for their verification.
- The Original Document(s): The Notary must inspect the original document (s) to be attested to verify that they are not a forgery.
- Photocopies of the Document: You will also need to provide photocopies, as the Notary will sign and seal these copies, often while keeping a record.
- Valid Government-Issued ID Proof: The person signing the document must present a valid, original photo ID (like an Aadhaar card, passport, or driver's license) so the Notary can verify their identity.
- Passport-Size Photographs: In some cases, such as for certain affidavits, you may be required to affix a recent passport-sized photograph to the document, which the Notary will then attest.
- Authorization Letter: If you are getting a document attested on behalf of someone else (e.g., a company director or a family member who is abroad), you must present a formal letter of authorization from that individual, permitting you to act on their behalf.
Notary Attestation Process
The process of notary attestation is designed to be thorough yet straightforward. It ensures that every document is properly verified. This can be done through two main methods.
Offline Notary Attestation
This is the traditional and most common method for attesting documents.
- Step 1: The individual (or affiant) physically visits the office of a licensed Notary Public.
- Step 2: They present the original document, its photocopies, and their original ID proof to the Notary.
- Step 3: The Notary verifies the original document and the identity of the person signing.
- Step 4: The person signs the document (or a photocopy) in the presence of the Notary.
- Step 5: The Notary affixes their official signature, seal, and one of the types of notary stamps, and makes an entry in their official register.
Online Notary Attestation
With technological advancements, many services now offer a more convenient online process, often called e-notarization.
- Step 1: The individual uploads a digital copy of the document to a secure online notary platform.
- Step 2: The platform facilitates a video call with a licensed Notary Public.
- Step 3: The individual verifies their identity in real-time during the video call using their government ID.
- Step 4: The individual e-signs the document, and the Notary witnesses this action digitally.
- Step 5: The Notary affixes their digital signature and electronic seal to the document, creating a legally valid, electronically notarized document. This is similar to the process for an e-affidavit.
How can NoBroker’s Notary Services Help?
NoBroker’s Notary Services are designed to simplify the entire notary attestation process by providing a fast, reliable, and legally compliant solution. Whether you need a simple notary attested affidavit, a power of attorney, or property documents verified, NoBroker connects you with authorized Notaries. Our platform facilitates both online and offline attestation, allowing you to upload documents, schedule appointments securely, and even request doorstep services in select areas. This eliminates the need for multiple visits to government offices, saves you valuable time, and ensures your documents are authenticated correctly under the Notaries Act, 1952, and are ready for all official purposes.
