What Does a Notary Public Do in Nepal?

A Notary Public in Nepal is a government-authorized legal officer with the power to authenticate documents, administer oaths, certify true copies, witness signatures, and verify the identity of parties signing legal instruments. If you have ever needed to submit a document to an embassy, apply for a foreign visa, complete an overseas employment process, or execute a legal agreement, you have likely been told you need a notary. Understanding exactly what a Notary Public does in Nepal — and what they cannot do — helps you prepare the right documents and avoid wasted trips. Hamro Notary at Chabahil, Kathmandu, is a registered Notary Public office serving clients for all notarization, translation, and attestation needs.

What Is a Notary Public in Nepal?

A Notary Public (Noteri Sarkari in Nepali) is appointed and licensed under the Notary Public Act, 2063 (2006), administered by the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs of Nepal. Notaries are registered with the Notary Public Council of Nepal, which maintains a list of all licensed notaries in the country.

A Nepali Notary Public is authorized to:

• Certify that a document is a true and accurate copy of an original
• Verify the identity of a person signing a document
• Administer oaths and affirmations
• Produce and certify translations of documents from Nepali to English (and other languages)
• Certify the execution of deeds, affidavits, power of attorney, agreements, and other legal instruments
• Attest that a person appeared before the notary and signed voluntarily

Core Functions of a Notary Public in Nepal

1. Certification of True Copies

One of the most common notary services in Nepal is certifying a true copy: a photocopy of an original document that the Notary Public certifies is a complete, accurate copy of the original they have physically examined. This is required for passports, citizenship cards (nagarikta), degree certificates, birth and marriage certificates, land certificates, and many other official documents when the original cannot be submitted.

2. Notarizing Affidavits and Sworn Statements

An affidavit is a written statement made under oath. Notarizing an affidavit means the Notary Public confirms the identity of the person making the statement, administers a sworn oath, and certifies that the statement was signed voluntarily and in the notary’s presence. Affidavits are commonly required for: visa applications, court proceedings, government registrations, and declarations of fact (e.g., relationship affidavits, name discrepancy declarations, single status declarations).

3. Witnessing and Certifying Signatures

When a document requires a witnessed signature — such as a Power of Attorney, a property sale agreement, or a business contract — the Notary Public witnesses the signatory’s identity and signature, confirming that the person who signed is who they claim to be and signed willingly. This prevents fraud in document execution and is required by embassies and courts.

4. Certified Translations

When you need a Nepali document translated into English for embassy, visa, or overseas employment purposes, a certified translation is a translation produced by a qualified translator and certified by the Notary Public as accurate and complete. The notary’s seal certifies the translation’s authenticity — this is required by the Australian Department of Home Affairs, UKVI, IRCC (Canada), Gulf country embassies, and MoFA Nepal before they will accept translated documents.

5. Administering Oaths

For court affidavits, employment contracts with sworn declarations, or other legal instruments requiring an oath, the Notary Public administers the oath or affirmation and records that it was administered. This has the same legal effect as swearing before a judge for many documentary purposes.

Documents a Notary Public Can Notarize in Nepal

• Passports and travel documents — certified true copy
• Citizenship certificate (nagarikta pramaan patra) — certified true copy
• Birth, death, and marriage certificates — certified copy and/or certified translation
• Degree certificates and academic transcripts — certified copy or translation for overseas submission
• Police clearance certificate (PCC) — certified translation for embassy submission
• Power of Attorney — witnessing, certification, and drafting
• Affidavits — relationship affidavit, name discrepancy, single status, residency, income declaration, and others
• Property and land certificates — certified copy (lal purja, field book)
• Corporate documents — company registration certificates, board resolutions, signatory authority declarations
• Employment and experience letters — certified translation if in Nepali
• Contracts and agreements — witnessing execution and certifying signatures

Notary Public vs Lawyer in Nepal: Key Differences

When Do You Need a Notary Public in Nepal?

You will typically need a registered Notary Public for:

• Embassy document submissions — virtually every embassy in Nepal requires notarized documents
• Foreign visa applications — Australian, Canadian, UK, Schengen, US, Gulf country visa applications all require notarized/certified documents
• MoFA attestation — MoFA requires a notary seal before attesting any document
• Overseas employment — Foreign Employment Promotion Board (FEPB) processes and employer documentation often require notarized copies
• Power of Attorney — for property management, banking, or legal matters when you are abroad
• Court or legal proceedings — affidavits submitted to Nepali or foreign courts
• Business registration and corporate filings — company documents sent abroad or used in international transactions

How to Find a Registered Notary Public in Kathmandu

Registered Notary Publics in Nepal must be licensed by the Notary Public Council of Nepal under the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs. You can verify a notary’s registration status through the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs.

Hamro Notary is a registered Notary Public office located at Naramaya Bhawan, Chabahil, Kathmandu. We are open Sunday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Walk-in clients are welcome. Contact: +977 984-134-6966.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can any lawyer in Nepal notarize my documents?

No. Only a person who holds a valid notary public license issued by the Notary Public Council of Nepal under the Notary Public Act 2063 can legally notarize documents in Nepal. A general advocate or legal practitioner does not have this authority unless they are also separately licensed as a Notary Public. Always confirm the notary registration before submitting documents to an embassy.

Is a notarized document the same as a witnessed document?

Not exactly. Any adult can witness a signature — witnessing only confirms that the person signed in the witness’s presence. A notarized document goes further: the Notary Public verifies the signatory’s identity through official documents (passport or citizenship card), confirms they are signing voluntarily, administers an oath if required, and applies an official government-authorized seal. Embassies and MoFA require notarization, not just witnessing.

How long does it take to get a document notarized at Hamro Notary?

Most standard notarizations (certified true copies, affidavits, signature witnessing) are completed same-day, often within the hour for straightforward documents. Certified translations take 1–2 business days depending on document complexity and length. Rush same-day translation service is available for documents brought in before 11 AM.

Is a Nepali notarized document valid abroad?

A Nepali notarized document is valid for embassy submissions in Nepal and for MoFA attestation. For it to be legally valid in a foreign country’s legal system (e.g., for use in a foreign court), it may need additional authentication — either MoFA attestation (for most countries) or Apostille (if Nepal ever accedes to the Hague Apostille Convention; currently Nepal is not a member). For embassy visa applications, notarization alone is usually sufficient.