Dutch Public Notary

A public notary in the Netherlands is a legal advisor paid for offering advice in legal matters and sometimes acts as a mediator. Dutch public notaries are independent, objective and they ensure professional confidentiality, with the right to withhold information in court. A public notary in Holland is appointed by the Crown for life, until he resigns or reaches the age of 65. The profession of a notary in Holland is regulated by the Ordinance on the Notarial Profession. Notaries in the Netherlands and attorneys can work for the same Dutch law firm, but their duties must be clearly separated. A public notary in the Netherlands is considered an official public servant, but at the same time he is self-employed. Dutch public notaries can be found on websites or in the Dutch yellow pages under the category “Notarissen”. 

Admission

All public notaries in the Netherlands are law graduates, with considerable legal skills and training. If a person wants to become a junior public notary in the Netherlands and later a public notary with full rights, he needs a master’s degree in Notarial Law. This is only possible if one has a bachelor degree in law. After completing the master’s program, a junior public notary in Holland can work in a firm of public notaries and after six years of practice, he can be a public notary in the Netherlands. A candidate for this profession can also apply for a course in Law curriculum in order to become a judge or barrister. Public notaries in the Netherlands can work in firms, mortgage banks, life insurance companies, tax consultancy offices or firms of real estate.

Activities

A Dutch public notary provides notarial deeds for official documents, agreements and legal transactions, such as transferring shares, legalising signatures, property conveying, incorporation of public and private limited companies, creating mortgages, drawing up wills and pre-nuptial agreements. In addition, a public notary in the Netherlands is responsible to keep originals of deeds of incorporation, deeds regarding real estate transfers, mortgage deeds, ship registrations or wills. A Dutch public notary can also act as a mediator and can represent both the vendor and the purchaser in transactions and selling of goods.  

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