Legal certainty for your documents

Learn when notarization is necessary for your documents, contracts, or translations and how the process works to ensure full legal validity.

Officially recognized

For contracts & documents

National Validity

What is a notarised certification? A definition

Confirmation of Authenticity

Legal Formal Requirement

High Evidential Value

Executed by Notary

Der Unterschied: Notarielle Beglaubigung vs. Apostille

The notarial certification and the apostille both serve to authenticate documents, but for different jurisdictions. A notarial certification is a national act of authority where a notary certifies the authenticity of a signature (signature certification) or confirms that a copy matches the original (copy certification). It is primarily relevant for legal transactions within Germany. The apostille, on the other hand, is a form of superlegalisation for international document transactions. It is required for documents that are to be used in another country that has acceded to the Hague Convention. The apostille confirms the authenticity of the signature and seal of the issuing notary or authority, making the document internationally valid without the need for further diplomatic or consular certification.

Services in Detail

Types of notarial certification

Signature

We create the translation for documents, which you can then have notarized.

Transcript

Do you need a certified copy of your translated document? We can advise you on the procedure.

Commercial Register

Preparation of translations for submissions requiring notarial certification.

Power of Attorney

Professional translation of powers of attorney for subsequent notarial certification.

Inheritance Law

Translation of renunciations of inheritance and other estate documents for submission to the notary.

Law of associations

Accurate translations for association register registrations and by-law amendments.

Apostille

Coordination of translation and advice on obtaining an apostille or legalisation.

Land Register

Translation of documents such as approvals for land registry entries.

Certificates

Professional translation of civil status documents as a basis for notarial certification.

We prepare your documents for all common types of certification.

Your documents,

prepared in a legally compliant manner.

When is notarisation required?

A notarial certification is always mandatory when the law prescribes a specific form for a legal transaction or declaration to ensure its validity. Typical applications include the certification of signatures on commercial register applications, association register applications or when renouncing an inheritance. It is also often essential for powers of attorney and living wills to guarantee their acceptance in legal transactions. While a stricter form, notarial authentication, is required for real estate purchase contracts or company formations, certification suffices for many other declarations. It grants the document a high degree of evidential value and protects the parties involved from legal uncertainties.

The process of notarisation step by step

The process of notarisation is clearly structured and serves for unequivocal authentication. First, you schedule an appointment with a notary of your choice. For the appointment, you bring the document to be signed along with a valid official photo ID (identity card or passport). If it is a signature notarisation, you sign directly in front of the notary or acknowledge a previously signed signature as yours. The notary verifies your identity and ensures your legal capacity. Afterwards, he notes the certification endorsement on the document, confirming your identity and the authenticity of the signature, along with the date, his signature, and the official seal. In the case of a copy certification, the notary checks that the copy matches the original presented.

Notarisation of translated documents

Documents issued abroad often need not only certified translation but also additional notarisation. This is necessary when the signature of the sworn translator must be over-certified for international legal transactions, for instance, through an apostille. The notary certifies the signature of the sworn translator who is either known to them or present in person. This step is crucial for foreign authorities to recognise the authenticity of the signature on the certified translation. Mentoc works closely with notaries to coordinate this process for you and ensure that your certified translation ordered from us meets all formal requirements for subsequent notarisation and, where applicable, apostillisation.

What documents can be notarised?

In principle, the authenticity of signatures on almost all private and business documents can be notarised. This includes powers of attorney, declarations of consent, affidavits, or applications for entry in public registers. Copies (transcripts) of original documents, such as certificates, diplomas, deeds, or identity documents, can also be certified. It is important to note that the certification of the transcript merely confirms its conformity with the original, not the authenticity or validity of the original document itself. For certain legal transactions, such as the purchase of a property, simple certification is not sufficient; the law requires comprehensive notarisation here.

Certified

Translation

Notarielle

Preparation

International

Recognition

Costs and Fees: What should you expect?

The costs for a notarial certification are legally regulated in Germany and binding for all notaries. They are based on the Court and Notary Fees Act (GNotKG). The amount of the fee is transparent and depends on the type of certification. For a simple signature certification without drafting by the notary, a fixed fee is charged, which varies between 20 and 70 euros plus VAT and disbursements depending on the transaction value. When certifying a transcript (copy), a fee is charged per page. This transparent fee structure ensures that the costs for notarial services are uniform and comprehensible throughout the entire federal territory.

Mentoc: Your partner for the preparatory steps

While notarisation must exclusively be carried out by a notary, mentoc is your specialised partner in the preparatory phase. We provide you with the technically precise and formally correct certified translation of your documents, which often forms the basis for subsequent notarisation or an apostille. Our sworn translators are familiar with the requirements that notaries and authorities have for translated documents. We ensure that your certificates, diplomas, or contracts are optimally prepared, and advise you on the necessary steps to make the entire process from translation to final certification smooth and efficient.

The Role of the Notary: Independence and Trust

A notary is an independent holder of a public office, obligated to neutrality and impartiality. Their main duty during notarisation is to verify the identity of the signing individual beyond any doubt and to confirm the authenticity of the signature. This function establishes legal certainty and trust in business and legal transactions. The notary does not advise on the content of the document but focuses on the formal validity of the signature or the copy. By affixing the notary's seal, the document attains a high probative value, recognised by courts, authorities, and business partners.

Can mentoc perform the notarial certification for me?

It is important to distinguish between notarisation and notarial certification. While notarisation merely confirms the authenticity of a signature or copy, certification goes significantly further. In a certification, the entire content of a legal transaction (e.g. a property purchase contract or a will) is read out by the notary, reviewed for content, and recorded in an official notarial document. The notary has a comprehensive duty to advise and inform to ensure that all parties involved understand the significance of their declarations. Therefore, certification is the strictest form of documentation and is legally required for transactions of particular importance.

Write a question that encourages the website visitor to fill out the form and contact us

Contact mentoc

CTA Bg

Write a question that encourages the website visitor to fill out the form and contact us

Contact mentoc

CTA Bg

Write a question that encourages the website visitor to fill out the form and contact us

Contact mentoc

CTA Bg

Frequently Asked Questions

Answers on notarial certification

Can mentoc perform the notarial certification for me?

Can mentoc perform the notarial certification for me?

Can mentoc perform the notarial certification for me?

What is the difference between a certified translation and a notarised document?

What is the difference between a certified translation and a notarised document?

What is the difference between a certified translation and a notarised document?

How long is a notarial certification valid?

How long is a notarial certification valid?

How long is a notarial certification valid?

What is the cost of a notarised certification?

What is the cost of a notarised certification?

What is the cost of a notarised certification?

Do I need to appear in person before the notary for the certification?

Do I need to appear in person before the notary for the certification?

Do I need to appear in person before the notary for the certification?

Do I need an apostille or notarial certification for my certified translation?

Do I need an apostille or notarial certification for my certified translation?

Do I need an apostille or notarial certification for my certified translation?

mentoc – Your partner for professional translations and legally compliant certifications. We accompany you quickly, confidentially, and with certification through international authorities, educational, and business processes.

mentoc – Your partner for professional translations and legally compliant certifications. We accompany you quickly, confidentially, and with certification through international authorities, educational, and business processes.

mentoc – Your partner for professional translations and legally compliant certifications. We accompany you quickly, confidentially, and with certification through international authorities, educational, and business processes.