Notary

Certify the legal documents with accuracy and integrity

About

A qualified and experienced lawyer known as a notary public is chosen by the federal or state government based on court recommendations. A notary public's duties include administering an oath to a witness and certifying documents as authentic after having them verified. The seal and stamp of a notary public serves as an evidence of the documents' originality. A notary authenticates the signature on a written instrument or official document as an objective state agent. The recent increase in demand for notary publics suggests that this is a lucrative career path.

Moreover, a notary is someone who is qualified to handle legal matters, particularly witnessing signatures on paperwork. The notarial profession takes on different forms depending on the local legal systems. Despite being a member of the legal profession, a notary differs from an advocate in that they do not represent the client or take sides in contentious situations.

Eligibility

For Bachelor’s

  • A scholar either needs a 5-year or 3-year bachelor's degree (LLB) in law to become a notary through the legal system, or an advocate. 
  • Passing the Higher Secondary Examination is the prerequisite for the five-year LLB programme, while graduation from any stream is required for the three-year LLB programme.

For Masters

  • To be admitted to a Masters or LLM programme, an individual must first complete their undergraduate studies in order to become a professional with advanced knowledge.
  • One will also be able to negotiate a better compensation package.

Job Roles

A notary public is a public official who is authorised to administer oaths, witness signatures on legal documents and certify the authenticity of copies of documents. Some common job roles for a notary public include:

  • Freelancer
  • Advocate General
  • Oath Commissioner
  • Notary Public
  • Legal Advisor
  • Law Inspector
  • Staff in Company Office Registrar

Employment Sector Jobs

Notaries public are employed in a variety of sectors, including government, legal services, real estate, finance and more. Some common employment sector jobs for notaries public include: 

  • Banking Sector
  • Educational Institutes
  • Courts
  • Travel and Tourism Department 
  • Income Tax Department
  • Real Estate Firms
  • Sales Department
  • Excise Department
  • Embassy

Top Recruiters

There are a variety of organisations and companies that hire notaries public for various job roles. Some top recruiters for notaries include:

  • Colleges
  • Universities
  • Department of Income Tax
  • High Court 
  • Supreme Court
  • Banks
  • Tourism Agencies
  • Firms for Real Estates

Salary

The salary of a Notary depends on the factors such as popularity, experience, training time period, location and in such a manner. The salary of entry level, senior and top-level notary is displayed in the given table: 

 

Entry-level Notary

Approx 1 lakhs to 2 lakhs per year

Senior Notary

Approx 4 lakhs - 12 lakhs per annum

Top-level Notary

Approx 9 lakhs - 30 lakhs per annum

 

Scope

The scope of a notary public varies depending on the jurisdiction in which they are appointed, but generally, a notary is authorised to perform the following functions:

  • When taking testimony in court for instance, a notary has the power to administer oaths and affirmations.
  • A notary can witness the signing of legal documents and certify that the signatory is who they claim to be.
  • On legal documents like deeds, mortgages and contracts, a notary public can acknowledge signatures.
  • The role of a Notary is crucial in preventing fraud by confirming signatories' identities and confirming that legal documents are signed voluntarily.

Benefits

A notary public offers several benefits, including:

  • A notary public verifies the identity of the signer(s) and witnesses the signing of important documents, providing a layer of legal authentication.
  • The individual is trained to detect potential fraud, reducing the risk of identity theft and other forms of deception.
  • The team of Notary creates a permanent record of the signing of a document, serving as evidence in the event of a dispute.
  • Notary services are widely available and can save time and effort compared to travelling to government offices to have documents authenticated.
  • Having a document notarized provides assurance that the signing was done legally and properly.

Drawbacks

While notaries provide several benefits, there are also some drawbacks to consider:

  • Notary services can be expensive, especially for complex or multiple documents.
  • The process of getting a document notarized can take time, especially if there is a line or the notary is busy.
  • A notary public is not an attorney and cannot provide legal advice or assistance in drafting or interpreting legal documents.
  • While notaries are trained to detect fraud, they are not always successful and can sometimes be held liable for fraudulent activities.
  • Notaries can sometimes be misused for illegal or unethical purposes, such as for creating fake documents or for money laundering.