The role of the notary: what are his areas of expertise?

Call upon a notary

Updated on Monday 19 May 2025

Notary’s role

The notary is a legal officer with a mission of public authority who prepares contracts in their authentic form on behalf of its clients. It exercises functions within a liberal framework.

Updated on Monday 30 June 2025

The authentic act is an act which is received by a competent public officer to instrument it in the place where it was drawn up. It is different from the private act which is signed only by the parties and can be regulated anywhere.

Updated on Friday 17 February 2023

The notary's main areas of intervention

Notary's mission :"Notaries are the public officers established to receive deeds and contracts to make these authentic, are attached to acts of public authority, and to ensure the date, keep the deposit, issue grosses and expeditions thereof." The Ordinance dated November 2, 1945

The notary’s obligations

Updated on Tuesday 7 November 2017

Responsibilities and obligations of a notary

The notary's obligations: to insure the monetary consequences of its activity with an insurance company known to be creditworthy and be responsible towards all clients.

Updated on Wednesday 5 August 2026

How to settle a dispute with a notary? Client redress and notary checks

The notary chosen by a client is obliged to be loyal. Its integrity, rigor, professional secrecy and duty to advise lead to regular checks carried out under the authority of the Public Prosecutor.

Understanding Notary Fees

Updated on Thursday 19 March 2026

Notary tariffs: emoluments and fees

The amount that one pays to the notary, which we commonly and improperly call "notary fees" actually includes taxes (approx. 8/10th of fees), disbursement (1/10th of fees) and notary’s compensation (1/10th of fees).

Updated on Wednesday 11 February 2026

Property purchase: acquisition costs (known as French notaire's fees)

The acquisition costs, improperly called “French notaire's fees”, are added to the purchase price of the real property. Generally, they are settled by the purchaser but not received by the seller or the Notary for their greater share.

Updated on Tuesday 25 November 2025

Cost of buying a house : Conveyancing fees

During a real estate purchase, the buyer must pay taxes and additional fees at the selling price. In the new market, these fees amount to 2 to 3% of the selling price. We are talking about "reduced fees" or "reduced notaire fees".

Power of Attorney at the Notary’s Office

Updated on Thursday 6 March 2025

Power of Attorney at the Notary’s Office

Updated on Wednesday 16 December 2020

The electronic authentic power of attorney for remote appearance presented to all European notariats

This Thursday, December 10, 2020, the Council of the Notariats of the European Union (CNUE) held a virtual conference bringing together more than two hundred participants from all over Europe.

A question ? Need help ?

Je devais consentir une donation-partage à mes 3 enfants. Mon notaire a préparé l’acte mais finalement 2 de mes enfants ont refusé de le signer. Le notaire me demande de régler ses émoluments au titre de « l’acte imparfait ». De quoi s’agit-il ? The imperfect deed is the deed…

Yes, but… The law applicable to your mother’s estate is French law, since her tax residence was in France. You may choose any notary you wish, but only a French notary can file the deeds recording the transfer of ownership of your mother’s real estate with the Land Registry (Article…

No. Any person entitled to request protective measures may apply for an inventory. The notary is not among the persons listed by law (Articles 1328 and 1305 of the French Code of Civil Procedure).

No, but it is preferable. In accordance with article 1359 of the civil code, a writing is required when the sum lent is greater than 1500 €. The use of a notary is recommended to avoid any dispute, especially between your heirs. Indeed, you are assured that the deed will…

....deed to be in German. Is this correct? Yes. While it is possible to draft a private agreement in a foreign language under certain conditions, documents prepared by a notary must be written in French.

View our FAQ

The role of the notary: what are his areas of expertise?

Call upon a notary

The notary’s obligations

Understanding Notary Fees

Power of Attorney at the Notary’s Office

A question ? Need help ?

I had to make a donation-partage to my 3 children. My notary prepared the deed but in the end 2 of my children refused to sign it. The notary is asking me to pay his fees under the "imperfect act". What is it about?

I am a Swiss tax resident. My mother, who passed away this year, lived in France in a house she owned and did not make a will. Can I appoint a notary in Switzerland?

Can a notary require an inventory to be drawn up in an estate?

I wish to grant a loan of €60,000 to one of my children Am I obliged to call on my notary to draw up the loan contract?

My spouse and I are German nationals. We are going to buy a house in France from a couple where the husband is also German. The preliminary sale agreement was written in German. The notary tells us it is not possible for the authentic sale ...