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 ?

No. A municipality can very well decide to pre-empt a property offered for sale at a selling price lower than that desired by the seller. The latter must send the owner its proposal by registered letter with acknowledgment of receipt, within 2 months of receiving the DIA. The seller then…

Yes. For a mortgage to be valid it must be executed by notarial deed (Civil Code, Article 2409). The notary handles registration and publication with the land registry service. The mortgage then becomes enforceable against third parties. The notary must practice in France if the property is located in France…

Yes. For the fees associated with a gift deed, the notary's fees are calculated based on the full value of the property. This applies even when the donor retains the usufruct of the property (art. A444-67 C. com.).

In such a case, the notary’s fees for drafting the deed of exchange will be calculated on the higher value of the two apartments (Article A.444-117 of the French Commercial Code).

Yes. Whenever real property is involved (a house, garage, plot of land, etc.), the deed of sale must be executed by a notary for the purposes of land registration (French Civil Code, Art. 710-1, para. 1).

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 am selling my house. My notary sent the declaration of intent to alienate (DIA) to the town hall. If the latter decides to exercise its right of pre-emption, does it have to acquire the property at the price initially fixed?

I am taking out a loan, and the bank requires a mortgage to be registered on my property. For cost reasons I would like the bank to handle the formalities. My notary says this is impossible. Is that true?

My father is planning to give me bare ownership of an apartment he owns. The notary has estimated its fee without considering the dismemberment of ownership. Is this normal?

I have decided to exchange my apartment with that of my neighbour. On what basis will the notary’s fees be calculated?

I would like to buy a garage. Am I required to use a notary?