1. GeneralThe
authority of a diplomatic and consular representative to utilize notarial
powers abroad derives from Section 50 (A) of the Notaries Law, 5736 - 1976.
Under this law, such an action performed by the representative by virtue of
these powers is equivalent to the act of a notary.
Notarization
must be performed in the physical presence of the diplomatic / consular
representative.
Israeli
missions abroad are not authorized to prepare or edit legal documents.
Alternatively
one can sign the documents in front of a local Notary Public. In this case, the
documents must be stamped with an Apostille stamp.
Please
note that it is your responsibility to verify with the official authority in
Israel that signing the document in front of a local Notary Public (instead of
the Consul) is acceptable.
In
both cases it is your responsibility to supply the documentation (power of
attorney, etc.).
When applying for notarization service please bring with you the
following:
· The
document unsigned! (You will need to sign it only in front of the
Consul).
· Your
passport or ID card
· Relevant
fee in cash
2. Notarizations provided by the mission
The notarizations provided by the mission under the
law and its provisions:
· Verification
of signatures
· Life
certificates
· Certification
of the accuracy of a document copy
· Taking
and certifying affidavits
· Certifying
expert opinions and medical certificates
· Certification
of wills
The diplomatic / consular
representative will not notarize documents in the following circumstances:
· The act
is not performed freely and willingly.
· The act
contravenes the laws of the country in which the mission is serving.
· The
document is fraudulent and/or violates the law.
· The
document is incomplete or defective.
· If the
representative or the signatory does not know the language of the document, the
translation will be implemented under special conditions that are specified in
the relevant legislation.
Comment: The diplomatic / consular
representative may exercise discretion regarding each notarization and he may
refuse to notarize a document if he is not convinced that all the legal
requirements have been met.
3. Original documents and copies
The
mission is authorized to confirm that a particular document is a certified copy
of another document, subject to internal guidelines. If it is necessary to
verify the copies of original documents, the mission's Consular Department will
photocopy the original document in order to ascertain that the copy is
identical to the original and will then issue the certification. Photocopies of
documents that were not made by the mission's Consular Department will not be
accepted.
There is a charge for
photocopying documents. For the cost per photocopied page, see the table of
fees
4. Identification of the person requesting the service
The representative will
identify the citizen by means of his passport, identity card or other public
document bearing a picture of the citizen, which is satisfactory to the
diplomatic / consular representative.
Identification for the
purpose of signing a document to be used in a real estate transaction will be
performed solely by means of an identity card or a passport.
Comment: The diplomatic representative has no authority to carry
out notarizations regarding minors without prior authorization from the Foreign
Ministry in Jerusalem.