Notarization in India is governed by the Notaries Act, 1952 and the Notaries Rules, 1956. These laws clearly define who can be appointed as a notary, their powers, duties, and the legal validity of notarized documents.
A notary appointed under this Act is legally authorized to authenticate documents for use within India as well as for international purposes, including immigration, education, employment, and commercial matters. In many overseas cases, notarization is the first step before further procedures such as attestation or apostille.
Related service: Notary Attestation in India
The Ministry of Law and Justice introduced amendments to enhance transparency and standardization in notary appointments. Key updates include:
Revised application and certification formats
Stronger eligibility verification mechanisms
Mandatory cooling-off period after rejection
Digitization of appointment and renewal processes
Further reforms were implemented to modernize the notarial system across India:
Increase in notary positions in selected states
Integration with the Government Notary Portal
Simplified renewal, reporting, and compliance procedures
These reforms aim to improve accessibility while ensuring strict legal compliance.
Under Section 3 of the Notaries Act, 1952, only individuals officially appointed by the Central Government or State Governments are legally authorized to notarize documents.
Eligible professionals include:
Practicing advocates with prescribed legal experience
Advocates from SC/ST/OBC or women categories (with relaxed experience criteria)
Retired judicial officers
Government legal officers and members of the Indian Legal Service
Legal officers from the Armed Forces
Appointment is strictly regulated and based on eligibility, merit, and availability of notified notary positions.
To qualify for appointment as a notary in India, an applicant must:
Be a citizen of India
Hold a recognized LL.B. degree
Be enrolled with the State Bar Council
Have the required years of legal practice or service
Maintain a clean professional and legal record
Only government-appointed notaries are legally permitted to notarize documents.
Under Section 8 of the Notaries Act, a notary is authorized to:
Verify and authenticate legal documents
Witness signatures and certify true copies
Administer oaths and affirmations
Note and protest negotiable instruments
Verify identity for legal and official purposes
For documents intended for foreign use, notarization is often followed by apostille or embassy attestation, depending on the destination country.
Learn more: Apostille Attestation in India
Notaries commonly authenticate:
Affidavits and declarations
Powers of attorney
Rental and lease agreements
Property-related documents
Educational certificates
Birth and marriage certificates
Commercial agreements
For overseas use, these documents may require additional authentication such as MEA attestation or embassy legalization.
Related process: MEA Attestation in India
India has gradually introduced digital and e-notarization, subject to strict legal safeguards.
E-notarization is considered valid when:
Conducted by a government-appointed notary
Identity is verified via secure video conferencing
Digital signatures and records are maintained
Proper audit trails are preserved
These initiatives aim to improve convenience while maintaining legal integrity.
Before notarizing any document, always:
Verify the notary’s registration number
Check the official seal (name, state, registration number)
Confirm listing on the government notary portal
Avoid unauthorized agents or intermediaries
Incorrect notarization can lead to rejection during attestation or visa processing.
Notarization confirms the authenticity of signatures and copies, while attestation verifies documents through government authorities and embassies for international acceptance.
Explained in detail: Document Attestation Services
Only government-appointed notaries are legally authorized to notarize documents in India. With stricter compliance norms and digital reforms introduced up to 2026, understanding who can notarize documents—and how to verify them—has become more important than ever.
Whether your documents are for immigration, education, employment, business, or personal use, always ensure notarization is done by a legally recognized notary and followed by the correct legalization process if required.
For complete guidance on notarization, apostille, and embassy attestation
https://pecattestation.com/blog/who-can-legally-notarize-documents