Notary Public

What is a Notary Public?

A Notary  Public is a person of proven integrity appointed by Costa Rica to serve the public as an impartial witness in taking acknowledgments, administering oaths and affirmations, and performing other acts authorized by law. Notaries play an essential role in the functioning of our legal and commercial systems.

​

Notary Public Duties:

A Notary's duty is to screen the signers of important documents for their true identity, their willingness to sign without duress or intimidation, and their awareness of the contents of the document or transaction.

Some notarizations also require the Notary to put the signer under an oath, declaring under penalty of perjury that the information contained in a document is true and correct.

 

What Documents Require a Notary Public?

Property deeds, wills and powers of attorney are examples of documents that commonly require a Notary.

 

There can also be need for a Notary Public concerning Passports, Root of Residence, Immigration Procedures, Company and Corporation Documents, among others. 

​

Notary Publics are duty-bound not to act in situations where they have a personal interest. The public trusts that the Notary's screening tasks have not been corrupted by self-interest.

 A Notary never refuse to serve a person due to race, nationality, religion, politics, sexual orientation or status as a non-customer.

​

As official representatives, Notaries Public certify the proper execution of many of the life-changing documents of private citizens — whether those diverse transactions convey real estate, grant powers of attorney, establish a prenuptial marriage agreements, or perform the multitude of other activities that enable our civil society to function.

 

It is an extra-protocol Notarial action, through the public faith and responsibility that covers the Notary or Notary, by stating facts, data, or situations in public or private documents.

 

​