Having been privileged to be appointed into the office of a
Notary Public upon taking the oath of office, I deem it fit to make
this exposition about the significance of the office.
Most countries of the world will only recognize the authenticity
of a document especially when it relates to travelling documents
unless such document is verified and authenticated by a person
known as Notary Public. In the like manner, Nigeria have legislated
into law the Notary Public Act for this purpose. Documents are
therefore required to be notarized where necessary or prescribed
for original documents to be recognized within or without Nigeria.
In Nigeria, Notary Public Act No. 107 of 1995 empowers the Chief
Justice of Nigeria to appoint persons into the office of a Notary
Public. Upon appointment, every Notary Public becomes an officer of
the Supreme Court of Nigeria having been found fit and proper to be
appointed.
Some have wondered what duty or documents are required for a
notary public to act upon. A Notary Public can attest to traveling
documents required for notarization by immigration laws, power of
attorney, declarations made on oath, promissory note, bill of
exchange, contracts and instruments made between parties. He can as
well authenticate documents that will be accepted outside the
shores of Nigeria such as marriage certificate.
However, the office comes with its ethical responsibilities. For
example, the office is not meant for self aggrandizement or money
making. A Notary cannot charge fees exceeding the amount prescribed
by the Notary Public Act. By the Oath of office, he cannot add or
diminish anything without the knowledge and consent of the party or
parties appearing before him or alter the substance of the fact of
document in which he is meant to attest. A notary public is further
prevented from attesting any act, contract or instrument in which
he knows there is violence or fraud or have interest. He is
expected to act uprightly and justly in the business of notary
public according to the best of his skill and ability.
In some jurisdiction, for example in the New York in United
States, before a person can be appointed, he must have passed
required examinations conducted by the Division of Licensing
Services. In Nigeria, the requirement is simple. You must be found
‘fit and proper’ by the Chief Justice of Nigeria subsequent upon an
application to be appointed into the office. The documents required
for the appointment of a Notary Public are as follows:
1. 3 copies of formal Application letter printed on the letter
headed paper should be addressed to the Chief Registrar of the
Supreme Court of Nigeria Abuja.
2. Curriculum Vitae (CV) should be duly signed. 23 copies of
such C.V. is required from applicant practicing in Lagos State and
15 copies for other states.
3. Photocopies of practicing fees receipt for 7 consecutive
years preceding the date of application and each payment must have
been made as at when due on or before 31st of March of each year as
prescribed by Rule 9 of Rules of Professional Conduct 2007.
4. 3 photocopies of Call to Bar Certificate.
5. 3 photocopies of Applicant’s Incorporation Certificate with
the Corporate Affairs Commission
It must be borne in mind that the appointment of a Notary Public
is on individual basis though applications are better submitted in
the first quarter of the year.
Having been privileged to be appointed into the office of a
Notary Public upon taking the oath of office, I deem it fit to make
this exposition about the significance of the office.
Most countries of the world will only recognize the authenticity
of a document especially when it relates to travelling documents
unless such document is verified and authenticated by a person
known as Notary Public. In the like manner, Nigeria have legislated
into law the Notary Public Act for this purpose. Documents are
therefore required to be notarized where necessary or prescribed
for original documents to be recognized within or without Nigeria.
In Nigeria, Notary Public Act No. 107 of 1995 empowers the Chief
Justice of Nigeria to appoint persons into the office of a Notary
Public. Upon appointment, every Notary Public becomes an officer of
the Supreme Court of Nigeria having been found fit and proper to be
appointed.
Some have wondered what duty or documents are required for a
notary public to act upon. A Notary Public can attest to traveling
documents required for notarization by immigration laws, power of
attorney, declarations made on oath, promissory note, bill of
exchange, contracts and instruments made between parties. He can as
well authenticate documents that will be accepted outside the
shores of Nigeria such as marriage certificate.
However, the office comes with its ethical responsibilities. For
example, the office is not meant for self aggrandizement or money
making. A Notary cannot charge fees exceeding the amount prescribed
by the Notary Public Act. By the Oath of office, he cannot add or
diminish anything without the knowledge and consent of the party or
parties appearing before him or alter the substance of the fact of
document in which he is meant to attest. A notary public is further
prevented from attesting any act, contract or instrument in which
he knows there is violence or fraud or have interest. He is
expected to act uprightly and justly in the business of notary
public according to the best of his skill and ability.
In some jurisdiction, for example in the New York in United
States, before a person can be appointed, he must have passed
required examinations conducted by the Division of Licensing
Services. In Nigeria, the requirement is simple. You must be found
‘fit and proper’ by the Chief Justice of Nigeria subsequent upon an
application to be appointed into the office. The documents required
for the appointment of a Notary Public are as follows:
1. 3 copies of formal Application letter printed on the letter
headed paper should be addressed to the Chief Registrar of the
Supreme Court of Nigeria Abuja.
2. Curriculum Vitae (CV) should be duly signed. 23 copies of
such C.V. is required from applicant practicing in Lagos State and
15 copies for other states.
3. Photocopies of practicing fees receipt for 7 consecutive
years preceding the date of application and each payment must have
been made as at when due on or before 31st of March of each year as
prescribed by Rule 9 of Rules of Professional Conduct 2007.
4. 3 photocopies of Call to Bar Certificate.
5. 3 photocopies of Applicant’s Incorporation Certificate with
the Corporate Affairs Commission
It must be borne in mind that the appointment of a Notary Public
is on individual basis though applications are better submitted in
the first quarter of the year.