Notarization is a process of having a document verified and authentication by a licensed Notary Public, who witnesses and certifies the signatures on the document, thereby providing legal assurance and preventing fraud. A Notary Public is an authorized legal professional who is licensed by the government to witness and authenticate / verify the signatures on the documents.
The process involves the Notary Public to verify the identity of the person / individual who is singing the document and ensuring that the document is genuine. The Notary Public also makes sure that the person is singing the document voluntarily and is not under any pressure. After satisfaction, the Notary Public then add the official seal and their signatures, thereby certifying the authenticity of the document and that the individual who signed it is who they claim to be.
The types of documents that can be notarized in Pakistan can vary, but commonly the documents that are notarized include affidavits, power of attorneys and contracts. Notarization is typically required for documents that need to be used for legal or official purposes.
It is important to note that notarization is not the same as legalization as it is a separate procedure. Notarization simply certifies the authenticity of the document and the individual signing it, whereas, legalization is an additional step that is required for the use of documents internationally.
While the purpose of an apostille and notary services may seem similar, apostilles specifically function as a way of upholding an internationally recognized standard for document verification. Although the procedure for obtaining an apostille has different requirements than notarization, RA-LLP can help you streamline the process by ensuring your documents are complete, valid, and ready to go.
