In South Africa, a Notary Public is a specially qualified attorney appointed by the High Court to perform certain legal and formal functions requiring a high level of trust and authenticity. Unlike ordinary attorneys, notaries have the exclusive authority to prepare and certify specific legal documents for use both within South Africa and internationally.
Both Mark, Director of Mc Naught and Co, and Dave, founder of Mc Naught and Co, studied for the Notary public exam together and were admitted as Notaries Public some years ago, by the High Court in Pietermaritzburg, Mark having received the highest Mark in KwaZulu-Natal in the exam.
Their duties include drafting and attesting notarial deeds, such as antenuptial contracts (pre-nuptial agreements), servitudes, notarial bonds, and property-related documents, including the transfer or cession of Exclusive Use Areas in sectional title transfers, a specialised Notary Public function that cannot be done by a conveyancer. They also authenticate signatures, certify copies of official documents, and witness the execution of important legal instruments. When documents are intended for use abroad, a notary verifies their validity through a process known as “notarial certification,” often followed by an apostille or legalization by the Registrar of the High Court.
Notaries must keep a register of all notarial acts and maintain strict ethical and procedural standards, as their work carries significant evidentiary weight in court and official proceedings. Essentially, a Notary Public in South Africa serves as a trusted legal officer ensuring the authenticity, legality, and proper execution of documents, protecting parties in both domestic and international legal and commercial transactions.
For your Antenuptial contract or other Notarial document contract the office on:
0870210123
info@maclaw.co.za
