Notaries in Belgium

As the world’s oldest legal profession still in existence, in Belgium, notaries are highly-trusted, public officers that provide advice and authenticate legally-binding documents in fields as diverse as real estate, family and business law.

In Belgium, there are about 1469 regional notaries in 627 cities and they are totally independent and impartial.

The notary profession is ruled by the law of "25 Ventôse An XI" (http://www.notaire.be/admin/files/assets/subsites/1/documenten/1332320943_loi-du-25-ventose-an-xi-coord.offic.-fr.pdf)

Notaries frequently draft instruments, wills and conveyances. They are appointed by the Ministry of Justice, whose functions include not only the preparation of documents, but the administration and settlement of estates. Such notaries may serve as repositories for wills and are empowered to serve legal documents (in some countries “huissiers/deurwaarders” serve documents). They hold law degrees. But do not plead cases in court.

The Belgian “Notaris/ Notaire”: Every Belgian Commune (city or township) has officials, appointed for life, who administer estates and who are qualified to draw up legal instruments such as deeds, powers of attorney, mortgages, wills, and marriage contracts. They also act as interim administrators in transfers of property.

Notaries public, as the term is used in the United States, do not exist in Belgium. Their duties are usually performed by Burgomasters (Mayors) as well as by Notaires/ Notarissen, who are empowered to acknowledge signatures and to administer oaths on documents prepared for use in Belgium.