A notary public in Nepal is a legally authorized professional who certifies documents, verifies signatures, administers oaths, and attests papers for domestic and international use. Notary services in Nepal are governed by the Notary Public Act 2063 (2007) and the Notary Public Rules 2063, administered by the Nepal Notary Public Council — an autonomous body chaired by the Attorney General.
Before the Notary Public Act 2063, there was no standardized system for document certification in Nepal. Attestation was handled by government officers, and translation by the Law Book Management Committee. The Act created a professional framework with licensed notary publics operating across the country. This guide explains how notarization works in Nepal, who can become a notary, the fees, which documents require notarization, and the process for getting documents notarized.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Full name | Notary Public Act, 2063 (2007) |
| Supporting legislation | Notary Public Rules 2063 (3 amendments to date) |
| Objective | Confirm the identity of persons signing documents, prevent fraud in document preparation, provide accessible certification and translation services, and protect the interests of the general public |
| Regulatory body | Nepal Notary Public Council (autonomous corporate body with perpetual succession, chaired by the Attorney General) |
| Certificate validity | 5 years (renewable) |
| Guarantee requirement | NPR 50,000 in cash or bank guarantee before receiving a certificate |
Under the Notary Public Act 2063, a notary public is authorized to perform the following functions:
| Function | Description |
|---|---|
| Document certification | Certifying that copies of documents are true copies of the original |
| Signature verification | Confirming the identity of persons signing documents and verifying that signatures are genuine |
| Administering oaths and affirmations | Administering oaths for affidavits and sworn statements required in legal proceedings |
| Attestation for foreign use | Attesting documents for use abroad, including obtaining Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) authentication |
| Document translation | Certified translation of documents from Nepali to English and vice versa for official and international use |
| Taking depositions | Recording sworn statements and depositions for use in court proceedings |
| Record maintenance | Maintaining certification, translation, and verification register books as prescribed by the Rules |
The Notary Public Act 2063 establishes specific qualifications for persons who can obtain a notary public certificate. There are two pathways:
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Citizenship | Must be a Nepali citizen |
| Age | At least 25 years old |
| Education | Minimum bachelor’s degree in law |
| Experience | At least 3 years of legal practice |
| Character | Good character, no criminal convictions for serious offences |
| Mental fitness | Must be of sound mind |
| Examination | Must pass the notary public certification examination conducted by the Council (written and oral components) |
The following persons are also recognized as notary publics without needing to take the examination:
A person is disqualified from being a notary public if they have not passed the Council examination (where required), have been convicted of serious criminal offences (murder, theft, fraud, corruption, rape, drug trafficking, human trafficking), have been declared insolvent, are not of sound mind, are not a Nepali citizen, or do not possess good character.
| Step | Details |
|---|---|
| 1. Locate a notary public | Licensed notary publics operate across Nepal. After receiving a certificate, the Council sends the notary’s details to the local Bar Association and District Court, which make the information public. |
| 2. Submit application and documents | Submit an application to the notary public along with: a copy of your citizenship certificate or passport, an identity document with photograph and address (if citizenship is unavailable), relationship verification paper (if required), power of attorney or letter of authority (if acting as an agent), and two copies of the documents to be certified. |
| 3. Identity verification | The notary verifies your identity against the documents submitted. For foreigners, a certified identity document from the relevant embassy is required. |
| 4. Witness verification | Witnesses (if required for the document type) must be present and their identities verified. |
| 5. Oath or affirmation | For affidavits and sworn statements, the notary administers an oath or affirmation confirming the truthfulness of the document. |
| 6. Signing, sealing, and certification | You sign the document in the notary’s presence. The notary applies their official seal and certificate, confirming the document’s authenticity. The process typically takes less than one day for straightforward documents. |
| 7. Record entry | The notary records the notarization in their official register book (Section 12 of the Act), including the document type, date, identities of signatories, and fee received. |
Common documents that require notarization in Nepal include:
When documents notarized in Nepal need to be used in another country, an additional step is required — attestation by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA). The MoFA seal verifies the authenticity of the notary’s certification for international acceptance. For certain countries, further authentication by the relevant embassy may also be required. This multi-step process (notarization → MoFA attestation → embassy legalization) is commonly needed for cross-border legal matters, immigration applications, and international business transactions.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Established under | Section 3 of the Notary Public Act 2063 |
| Legal status | Autonomous corporate body with perpetual succession, own seal, right to sue and be sued, and authority to acquire and dispose of property |
| Chairperson | Attorney General (ex officio) |
| Key functions | Formulating notary policies and regulations, conducting certification examinations, issuing and renewing notary certificates, monitoring notary performance, hearing complaints against notary publics, and maintaining the national notary registry |
| Secretary | Appointed as the administrative chief of the Council |
| Fund | Separate fund comprising government contributions, fees from certificate applicants, guarantee deposits, and other sources. All Council expenditures are borne from this fund. |
| Cancellation powers | The Council can cancel a notary certificate if the notary is convicted of serious offences, becomes mentally incapacitated, fails to renew, or upon death |
Online notarization is not yet legally recognized under the Notary Public Act 2063. The Act requires physical presence for identity verification, signature witnessing, and seal application. While some service providers offer remote coordination (preparing documents online and completing notarization in person), the actual notarization step must be performed face-to-face with a licensed notary public. Digital reforms may introduce virtual notarization in the future, but no legislation currently authorizes it.
Several licensed service providers offer notarization, document attestation, and certified translation across Nepal:
| Provider | Services |
|---|---|
| Notary Nepal | Document notarization, MoFA attestation, embassy legalization, certified translation (Nepali–English), court marriage act translation, and affidavit preparation |
| Notary Kathmandu | Notary public services in Kathmandu including document certification, signature verification, and attestation for foreign use |
| Translation Nepal | Certified document translation services for legal, academic, and official documents required for immigration, employment, and court proceedings |
For legal assistance with document notarization, attestation for foreign use, or any legal matters requiring certified documents, consult our team at Nepal Divorce Services. Our divorce lawyers regularly assist NRN clients with notarized powers of attorney and cross-border document authentication. Contact us for a consultation.
A notary public in Nepal is a legally authorized professional who certifies documents, verifies signatures, administers oaths and affirmations, attests papers for domestic and international use, and provides certified translation services. Notary services are governed by the Notary Public Act 2063 (2007) and regulated by the Nepal Notary Public Council, an autonomous body chaired by the Attorney General.
Notary services in Nepal are governed by the Notary Public Act 2063 (2007) and the Notary Public Rules 2063 (with 3 amendments to date). The Act establishes the Nepal Notary Public Council, defines who can become a notary, prescribes the certification process, and sets out the functions and responsibilities of notary publics. The Code of Conduct for Notary Professionals provides additional ethical guidelines.
To become a notary public through the Council examination, you must be a Nepali citizen aged at least 25, hold a bachelor’s degree in law, have at least 3 years of legal practice, have no criminal convictions for serious offences, and pass the notary public certification examination (written and oral) conducted by the Nepal Notary Public Council. The examination fee is NPR 1,000 and the certificate fee is NPR 5,000. A bank guarantee of NPR 50,000 must be deposited before the certificate is issued.
A notary public certificate issued by the Nepal Notary Public Council is valid for 5 years. For renewal, an application must be submitted to the Council along with the prescribed fees at least 60 days before the certificate expires. The Council may conduct an inquiry before renewing the certificate. Failure to renew results in cancellation of the certificate.
Common documents requiring notarization include affidavits and sworn statements (mandatory for court admissibility), powers of attorney (especially for NRNs filing cases from abroad), property deeds and real estate documents, contracts and commercial agreements, academic certificates for use abroad, marriage certificates for international recognition, company documents for international transactions, and court documents and legal translations.
The process involves: (1) locating a licensed notary public, (2) submitting an application with your citizenship certificate or passport, identity documents, and two copies of the document to be certified, (3) identity verification by the notary, (4) witness verification if required, (5) oath or affirmation for affidavits, (6) signing the document in the notary’s presence while the notary applies their seal and certificate, and (7) the notary recording the notarization in their official register book. The process typically takes less than one day.
No. Online notarization is not legally recognized under the Notary Public Act 2063. The Act requires physical presence for identity verification, signature witnessing, and seal application. While some providers offer remote document preparation, the actual notarization must be performed face-to-face with a licensed notary public. Digital reforms may introduce virtual notarization in the future, but no legislation currently authorizes it.
The Nepal Notary Public Council is an autonomous corporate body established under Section 3 of the Notary Public Act 2063. It is chaired by the Attorney General and is responsible for formulating notary policies, conducting certification examinations, issuing and renewing notary certificates, monitoring notary performance, hearing complaints, and maintaining the national notary registry. The Council has its own fund, seal, and the right to sue and be sued.
Documents notarized in Nepal that need to be used in another country require additional attestation by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA). The MoFA seal verifies the notary’s certification for international acceptance. For certain countries, further authentication by the relevant embassy may also be required. The typical process is: notarization by a licensed notary public, then MoFA attestation, then embassy legalization (if required by the destination country).
Under Section 13 of the Notary Public Act 2063, the following persons are disqualified: those who have not passed the Council examination (where required), persons convicted of serious criminal offences (murder, theft, fraud, corruption, rape, drug trafficking, human trafficking), persons declared insolvent, persons of unsound mind, non-Nepali citizens, and persons who do not possess good character.
A notary public does not cancel documents — they certify them. However, the Nepal Notary Public Council can cancel a notary’s certificate if the notary is convicted of serious offences, becomes mentally incapacitated, fails to renew their certificate, or upon death. If a notary has improperly certified a document, a complaint can be filed with the Council, which has the power to investigate and take disciplinary action.
Yes. Non-Resident Nepalis (NRNs) filing for divorce in Nepal from abroad typically need notarized documents including a power of attorney authorizing a representative to act on their behalf in court, an affidavit, and certified copies of marriage and citizenship certificates. These documents must be notarized in the country of residence (by a Nepali embassy or consulate, or a local notary) and then attested by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for use in Nepali courts.
Notary public earnings in Nepal vary based on work volume and location. Average monthly earnings range from approximately NPR 15,000 to NPR 60,000. Notary publics in urban centres like Kathmandu, Pokhara, and Biratnagar typically earn more due to higher demand. Earnings come from fees prescribed by the Council for certification, attestation, translation, and other notarial services.
Notarization is the process where a licensed notary public certifies a document, verifies signatures, and applies their official seal. Attestation is the subsequent step where a government authority (typically the Ministry of Foreign Affairs) authenticates the notary’s certification for use in another country. Notarization confirms the document is genuine domestically; attestation confirms it is genuine for international purposes. Both steps are usually required for documents intended for foreign use.
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