Translation and Notary of Documents in Nepal – Best Guide (2081)

This article will provide you the latest legal provisions and process of translation and notary of documents in Nepal.

What is Notary Public?

Notaries are public official who verify and authenticate the documents as being true and trustworthy. They serve as an impartial witness of the signing of important documents. Their prime function is to authenticate, translate and attest important legal and non-legal documents including contracts, deeds, order of courts, identity documents by putting on a notarial seal.

Notary Public help to deter fraud in course of documentation by witnessing the signing of important documents and verifying the identity of the signer, their intention and their awareness regarding the contents of the document.

Translation and Notary of Documents in Nepal

Functions of Notary Public

As per Notary Public Act, 2063, the Notary Public performs the following functions:

(a) Certification of any document

 (b) Translation of a paper written in one language into another language

(c) Attestation the copy of any original paper.

Notarizing a document is similar to taking oath in a court of law, confirming that the facts contained in the document are true. Notarized documents are accepted by court and other bodies without having to make any further verification of the document themselves.

Why Notary ?

The Preamble of prevailing Notary Public Act provides following rationale:

“To confirm real person in preparing documents and putting signature on the document and to control fraud and fraudulent activities and to provide for simple and easy way in translating document and to maintain the interest of the general public.”

Translation and Notary of Documents in Nepal

Qualification of Notary public

The following persons shall be eligible to be a Notary Public:

(a) A law practitioner who has continuously practiced law for a period of Seven years.

(b) A person who has retired from at least Gazetted class two officer of the Nepal judicial service.

Procedure of Certification

(1) Person wanting to certify paper must make application to the Notary Public for translation of the paper.

(2) While applying, he/she must present two witnesses along with their identity document who know him/her before the Notary Public.

(3) Then the Notary Public needs to confirm whether the person who put signature on the document is real or not.

(4) If the certified document is to be submitted to an office or Court, then, the Notary Public can ask to take oath of the applicant.

(6) If the Notary Public confirms the paper on the basis of (a) knowing the applicant personally (b) paper submitted (c) examination of the witness then, the Notary Public may do certification by asking to put, signature and thumb impression of the applicant on the document.

Procedure of Translation of Paper

(1) Person wanting to translate paper must apply to the Notary Public for translation of the paper.

(2) After an application is received then, the Notary Public needs to confirm and assure whether such paper is authentic or not.

 (3) If there is any doubt then the Notary public may investigate or verify such paper or may inquire to the office or institution which has issued the paper.

(4) If it seems authentic upon the inquiry then, the Notary public shall have to translate the paper and have to verify such paper.

Procedure of Verification (Attestation)

• Person wanting to verify paper must apply to the Notary Public for verification along with following documents :
• Original Paper
• The copies required for verification
• Document which shows his/her identity.
• Notary public checks the authenticity and confirms whether or not the paper is true
• The Notary Public can ask the applicant to give statement by stating that “the copy is as good as the original copy.” meaning the copy is true as the original and verify the copy.

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