
WHAT IS A NOTARY PUBLIC?
A Notary or Notary Public is a specialist admitted attorney. In order to make an application to be admitted as a Notary by the High Court of South Africa, you must:
1. Be admitted as an attorney; and
2. Have passed the practical examination in respect of the practice, functions and duties of a Notary.
The Notaries of today originate from the scribes during early Hebrew, Greek and Egyptian times. The first Notary in South Africa was appointed in 1672.
The office of a Notary is a highly respected office of trust and the basic qualification of expertise is higher than that of an ordinary attorney.
Certain documents are required by law to be drawn by a Notary. The most common of these documents include:
- Antenuptial Contracts;
- Long Term Leases;
- Servitudes (personal and praedial);
- Cession of Rights in Sectional Title Schemes; and
- Notarial Bonds.
A Notary is further tasked to:
- Administer the oath or affirmation;
- Witness and authenticate the execution of documents for use inside and outside of South Africa;
- Protest Bills of Exchange;
- Prepare Ship Protests; and
- Certify Documents as True Copies.
Southey Attorneys Incorporated offer a full range of Notarial Document services. Please contact Robyn Pentz for more information: Email: litigation@southeys.co.za
Telephone: 034 315 1241