Notarial Authentication of Signature
A notarial authentication confirms who signed a document, that they signed of their own free will, and that they understood what they were signing. This guide explains when it is required, what happens at the meeting, and which official form applies to your case. Every form mentioned here can be downloaded.
What notarial authentication is
When a document is authenticated by a lawyer qualified as a licensed notary, the notary certifies the signature on the document and gives it a special evidentiary standing. The notary verifies the identity of the parties involved and confirms that the signatories understand the nature of the document, the rights and obligations attached to it, and the consequences of signing it.
The Notaries Law, 5736-1976 recognises expressly and unambiguously how essential this is. Section 20(a) provides that a general power of attorney, and a power of attorney for real-estate transactions requiring registration in the Land Registry, “shall not be valid unless (…) drawn up by a notary or the signatures on them authenticated by a notary.”
Why it matters
Notarial authentication, whether of a signature alone or of an entire document, gives the document reliable legal standing and marks it as duly certified. It strengthens the document’s evidentiary standing and makes it admissible as evidence in court.
This is what allows courts, state authorities, banks, embassies and institutions abroad to recognise your documents. Whether you are drafting contracts, handling legal paperwork or preparing other critical documents, authentication is the step that turns a private signature into one an official body can rely on.
Documents intended for use in another country usually also require an apostille. See our page on notarial and apostille services.
Special situations
In certain cases notarial authentication carries additional requirements that do not apply to every authentication. The most common are set out below.
A signatory who is ill
A medical certificate may be required in certain circumstances in order to establish that the signatory is mentally competent and has the cognitive capacity to understand the process, that is, the meaning of the document being signed and the consequences of signing it.
A document in a foreign language
Where the language of the document is not familiar to the person signing it, a notarial certification of a translation may be required. A notary may carry out the translation himself, provided he speaks the language in which the document is drafted, or may certify the reliability of a translation prepared by an external translator. There is a separate official form for the case where the notary does not know the language, and another for the case where the signatory does not.
A minor’s signature
The involvement of the minor’s parents at the time of signing is often required. The notary may need to attest to the parents’ presence, verify their identity, and establish their parental relationship with the signatory.
Signing on behalf of a corporation or another person
Where a person signs in the name of a company or on behalf of someone else, the notary must be shown documents proving the authority to sign. There is a dedicated form for this case.
A party who is abroad
When one of the parties required to sign is abroad, authentication is especially important, since different countries apply different laws. The notary will confirm that the document was drawn up and signed in accordance with the law applicable in each country where the signatories are located. When signatories to a document such as a real-estate sale agreement are physically far apart, the risk of forged signatures is greater, and engaging a notary guarantees the reliability of the signatures.
Forms you can download
The forms below are the certificate templates prescribed by the Notaries Regulations. They are provided here for download and reference, so that you know in advance what the certificate you receive will look like. Each form is available in Hebrew, in Arabic, and in a combined Hebrew and English version.
- Authentication of a signature
- Hebrew · Arabic · Hebrew & English
- Authentication on behalf of a corporation or another person
- Hebrew · Arabic · Hebrew & English
- Where the signatory does not know the language of the document
- Hebrew · Arabic · Hebrew & English
- Where the notary does not know the language of the document
- Hebrew · Arabic · Hebrew & English
- Authentication of a minor’s signature
- Hebrew · Arabic · Hebrew & English
When a notary may not authenticate a signature
Under section 11 of the Notaries Law, a notary is not authorised to authenticate a person’s signature on a document unless the signatory appeared before him, was identified, and signed the document in his presence. A qualified notary will make sure that your signature meets every requirement of the law, so that it can never later be argued that the authentication was carried out unlawfully.
Bring a valid original identifying document. Identification is the foundation of the whole procedure, and without it the notary cannot proceed.
In summary
Notarial authentication of a signature is a significant step in establishing the evidentiary standing of documents. Whether your matter is domestic or international, having an expert lawyer and notary alongside you can make all the difference in protecting your rights and interests.
For legal advice on matters relating to notarial authentication of signatures, contact us by phone at 02-5953322 or on WhatsApp at 050-441-1343.
What people ask most often
What does the notary actually confirm?
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Can a notary authenticate a document written in a language he does not read?
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Is authentication enough for a document going abroad?
All Notary Department pages
Need a signature authenticated?
Bring a valid original identifying document, and the documents proving your authority if you are signing for a company or another person. We will tell you in advance which official form applies to your case.