How to Become a Notary Public in Nepal

A notary public is a person who is authorized to certify, attest and translate documents or papers that are required for legal purposes or for use in foreign countries. A notary public can also verify the identity and signature of the person who made the document or paper.

In Nepal, becoming a notary public is a prestigious and rewarding profession that requires certain qualifications, procedures and fees. Here are the steps to become a notary public in Nepal:

Step 1: Meet the Eligibility Criteria

According to the Notary Public Act, 2063 B.S., to become a notary public, a person must meet the following eligibility criteria:

• The person must have a bachelor's degree in law or an equivalent qualification from a recognized university or institution.
• The person must have at least five years of experience as an advocate or a legal practitioner.
• The person must be a citizen of Nepal.
• The person must not have been convicted of any criminal offense involving moral turpitude.

Step 2: Apply for the Certificate of Notary Public

The Nepal Notary Public Council is the governing body that issues the certificate of a notary public to qualified persons. The council calls for applications publicly from time to time, providing 30 days and stating remuneration, terms, and conditions of the service.

The interested and eligible persons can apply for the certificate of notary public by submitting their application form along with the required documents and fees to the council within the given deadline.

The required documents include:

• A copy of the citizenship certificate
• A copy of the academic certificate
• A copy of the experience certificate
• A copy of the registration certificate as an advocate or a legal practitioner
• A copy of the character certificate
• Two passport-size photographs

The required fees include:

• An application fee.
• An examination fee.
• A certificate fee.

Step 3: Pass the Written Examination and Interview

After verifying the applications, the council conducts a written examination and an interview to select the qualified persons for obtaining a certificate of notary public.

The written examination is based on the curriculum designed by the council, which covers topics such as:

• The Notary Public Act, 2063 B.S. and the Notary Public Rules, 2063 B.S.
• The Civil Code, 2074 B.S., and other relevant laws
• The Constitution of Nepal, 2072 B.S., and other constitutional laws
• The general principles of law and justice
• The English language and translation skills
• The written examination consists of two papers: Paper I (Objective) and Paper II (Subjective). Paper I has 100 marks and Paper II has 200 marks. The duration of each paper is two hours.

The candidates who pass the written examination are called for an interview by the council. The interview is conducted to assess the personality, communication skills, knowledge and aptitude of the candidates.

The candidates who pass both the written examination and the interview are selected to obtain a certificate of notary public.

Step 4: Receive the Certificate, Seal and Register

The council issues a certificate of a notary public to the selected candidates for a period of five years, which can be renewed upon application and payment of fees.

The council also issues a seal and a register to each notary public for their official use. The seal contains the name, address, and certificate number of the notary public. The register contains the record of their work, such as date, name, address, signature, seal, etc.

Step 5: Start Working as a Notary Public

After receiving the certificate, seal, and register, the notary public can start working as a notary public in Nepal. They can certify, attest, or translate any document or paper that is required by law or by any foreign country for any legal purpose, except for those documents or papers that are prohibited by law or by the council.

They can charge fees for their services as fixed by the council. They must follow the code of conduct prescribed by the council and must maintain confidentiality and impartiality in their work.

They must keep a record of their work in their register and must submit a copy of their register to the council every six months. They must display their name, address, and certificate number at their office or place of work. They must inform the council about any change in their address or status within 15 days.

They must also attend the training program conducted by the council from time to time to enhance their knowledge and skills.