Notarization
▍1. What is notarization?
Notarization is the activity of a person (a “notary”) who produces an acknowledgement in record of a legal activity (such as sales/purchases, leases, gifts) or the existence of an individual right or fact (such as a housing water leak or webpage content).
▍2. What is attestation?
Attestation is the action of a notary in processing a document (ex.: public document such as a certified copy of a household certificate, personal document such as a letter of appointment, certified translation, or certified copy) to attest record that proves the document is made or formally true.
▍3. What is the benefit of notarization?
Notarization can protect your individual rights, secure evidence, and prevent disputes.
▍4. Who should I use for notarization?
There are two types of notaries in Taiwan: court notaries and civil notaries. The validity and fees of both types of notaries are the same.
▍5. Where can I find a notary?
Court notaries can be found in the notary division of district courts. Refer to the district court’s website for the location and office hours of the notary division. For the contact information of private notaries, refer to the civil notary registry system.
▍6. How to identify legitimate civil notaries?
The civil notary office should hang a sign specifically indicating that it is a business office that includes the name of the firm and the following Chinese text: OOOO地方法院所屬民間公證人XXX(聯合)事務所, XXX civil notary (joint) office within the jurisdiction of OOOO district court, where “OOOO” indicates the name of the district court, and “XXX” indicates the civil notary’s personal name. The sign shall also contain an identifying mark. In addition, a legal civil notary’s information must exist in the civil notary registry system.
▍7. How are notarization fees assessed?
Notarial fees are prescribed by law, based on the “notarial fee standards” chart.
▍8. What types of documents need to be prepared for notarization?
Common documents to be notarized are listed below:
Common documents for all cases |
Natural person |
Personal identification document (ex.: Taiwan ID, passport, Alien Residence Certificate), and personal seal/chop |
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Legal entity |
Evidence of identity of the entity’s representative or responsible person, evidentiary documentation of the legal entity (ex.: corporate registration (change) form, registration of legal entity certificate), and the seals/chops of the legal entity and authorized signatory |
|
Agent conducting affairs on behalf of the principal |
Evidence of identity of the principal and agent, a letter of authorization or power of attorney (if not yet notarized, must provide documents such as the natural person’s seal certificate, corporate registration (change) form or the legal entity’s seal certificate), and the agent’s seal/chop |
|
Documents to prepare for individuals |
Notarized authorization of house leasehold or use
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House ownership certificate, latest tax bill, or house tax certificate |
Notarized & attested will |
Certified copy of household registration of the decedent, successors/heirs, and/or beneficiaries, evidentiary documentation of ownership of related financial assets (ex.: account passbook, real estate ownership certificate), evidentiary documentation of the financial asset’s value (ex.: latest tax bill, housing tax certificate, land registration transcription), inheritance system form |
|
Civil marriage |
1. A witness must present their personal identification document in-person. 2. If a person to be married is a minor, his or her legal guardian must present their personal identification document in-person. If the legal guardian does not appear in-person, then they must present a letter of consent to the marriage stamped with the guardian’s personal seal/chop. 3. If a person to be married is a foreigner, he or she must present a certificate attesting to the party’s eligibility to marry issued by a foreign embassy/office or authorized authority. |
|
Notarized affidavit of eligibility to marry |
1. Certified copy of household registration (“Notes” field cannot be omitted.) 2. If one has a record of previous marriage, he must produce documentary evidence of divorce from the local government office of household registration (ex.: contract of divorce, divorce judgment). 3. If one’s spouse is deceased, he or she must present the spouse’s death certificate issued by the local government office of household registration. |
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Certified copy |
Original document, certified copy (up to five copies per document) |
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Certified translation |
Original document and translated document (up to five copies per document) |
- Release Date : 2019-11-01
- Update : 2021-07-09