Lawyers
Drafting of an electronic notarized certificate and its verification with a digital apostille
e-Notary & e-Apostille Services
In 2021, the State of Israel took a significant leap forward and sought to join the era of digital transformation, by adopting technology that makes it possible to issue electronic notarial certificates and even verify these certificates using a digital apostille system.
As you know, traditionally, people who requested to use the services of a qualified notary were required to appear physically before the notary in order for him to sign their documents or authenticate them. However, after the introduction of the electronic notary certificate, a real revolution took place in the field, which makes the notary signature verification process simpler and more efficient than ever.
But what exactly is a digital notary certificate and how might it benefit you? Lawyer and notary Igal Mor explains about this groundbreaking development.
מאת עו״ד ונוטריון יגאל מור
דיוק בייעוץ המשפטי. מצויינות בליווי המשפטי.
Who is a notary and what is his role?
Before we review the essence of the preparation of the electronic notary certificates and the work of verifying them with a digital apostille, we would like, first of all, to briefly present the role of a notary in Israel.
A notary is a lawyer who has the authority to approve, verify, testify and edit legal documents in a wide variety of fields. Confirmation on behalf of a qualified notary constitutes a valid confirmation before courts regarding the reliability of the document, its originality and reliability, and it even allows the identification of the people who signed the document. Also, a document that is authenticated by a notary constitutes presumption and evidence of the very fact that the documents were signed out of free will and, God forbid, under coercion or coercion.
Below we will present a number of central powers of notaries in Israel, as they appear in the law:
- Verification of financial agreements
- Verification of signature on power of attorney
- Confirmation of the correctness of copies of documents
- Affidavit confirmation
- Authorization of power of attorney
- Verification of a will before a notary as a “Will Before an Authority”
- Confirmation of a translator’s statement
Traditional signature verification before a notary public
Historically, many of us must have come across the red notary seal which for so many years adorned the best official documents we need, such as financial agreements, mortgages, wills and a variety of documents intended for international use. Once the notarization was received, customers were responsible for physically delivering the notarized documents and handing them over to the relevant authorities, while the notary had to keep physical copies in an archive on the site
Efficient and secure service
The digital transformation everyone has been waiting for
As presented above, the role of a notary in Israel extends over a wide number of powers, which basically concern the approval of documents and their authentication, in a way that ensures their reliability before the court and before other state authorities. If in the past the verification of documents and the preparation of notarized certificates were acts that required a physical meeting and an actual signature on a printed sheet of paper, then today things are different and where physical verification is not required (translation of a document by the notary), then physical presence is not required.
- It will be clarified that in Israel it is forbidden to perform notarial verification through a visual commission. This regulation (REMOTE NOTARY) is not allowed in Israel and the clients must appear before the notary where the notarial action requires a signature.
Thus, as detailed above, until the month of February in 2021, notarizing these documents involved the physical stamping of the seal. Although, starting in 2021, a significant decision was made which officially recognized electronic notarial confirmation in Israel, as well as in many countries around the world, and this paved the way for the rapid execution of notarial documents as well as their submission to local and international public institutions, including inheritance registries, courts, consulates and banks. This move definitely represents a spirit of innovation and progress.
Digital signature verification - How do things work today?
Although a physical notarization remains a real and possible option for anyone interested in it, the regulations governing notary services now include, officially and formally, the option to make an electronic notarization and the possibility to verify it with a digital apostille. While physical presence is still required for identification, signature verification can now be done entirely digitally. Thus, customers can provide a physically signed document, which will be scanned, or choose a digital signature, according to the various methods that have long been approved by the electronic signature law.
Which option should I choose - traditional or digital signature verification?
Indeed, today two main options are open to anyone interested – traditional signature verification at the notary and alternatively digital signature verification.
Apparently for those who are not familiar with the various digital signature methods, it may be better to choose the option of traditional signature verification, without getting too complicated. On the other hand, if this is the case, you know that the institution to which you are required to send the notarized certificate receives digital notarized verification, so there is no doubt that this technology can save you time and money (the digital notarized certificate can be sent by email and save on local / international shipping).
e-Apostile digital apostille
The continuation of the technological revolution in the notarial field did not stop at the service of a digital notary certificate, and in 2022 the Ministry of Justice even launched a service that allows obtaining a digital apostille certificate without the need to visit the Ministry of Foreign Affairs / courts.
The service is provided exclusively for an electronic notarial certification signed by a certified electronic notarial signature issued by an approving party.
Costs
In accordance with the instructions of the Ministry of Justice, the cost of a digital notary certificate is the same as the cost of a regular notary certificate.
A Glimpse Into The Future
A digital notary certificate and a digital Apostille certificate represent the first step in the digital revolution in the field of notarial authentication. All we have left is to wait patiently, and wait for further progress that will make everything related to remote verification and approval of documents a simpler and faster procedure than ever.
In the meantime, we can certainly welcome the digital document verification process, both digital notarization and digital apostille, which are offered to us today, this without a shadow of a doubt facilitates the transfer of electronic documents and enables a faster and more efficient service to the public.
In Conclusion
Do you need the services of a qualified lawyer and notary? For legal advice on matters related to notarization of documents and transactions, we invite you to contact us by phone 02-595-3322 or WhatsApp 050-811-6181.
