Dominican Notary

Chris_NJ · #1 05-19-2004, 12:54 AM

I would like to clarify the process/costs of notarization in DR. Here (US) you sign in front of a notary to swear that that you believe the facts in the document are true. The notary then signs his name and put on the stamp and charges you $2/3. It takes like 30 seconds.

What is the average process/cost to get something notarized in DR by a Dominican lawyer/notary? My girlfriend got some of her documents notarized and the lawyer always keeps the pages several hours and types in a longwinded statement giving her address, cedula #, marital status, etc and then signs and puts several stamps. The lawyer charged her 800 pesos for this - can this be right? There is no way for a notary to just sign and stamp for 100 pesos or so like in US?

Lissa · #2 05-19-2004, 08:43 AM

I think it's very overpriced, but here to notarized is more expensive than in US I think is for the fact that here to be a legal notary you must be a lawyer and fill some profesional requeriments, but in the US anybody can be a notary doesn't have to be a lawyer just have to take some classes and get a test for the license and that's it..

Escott · #3 05-19-2004, 09:08 AM

I needed something notorized and my attorney did it for me including typing a letter and didnt charge me. Sounds like a lot of money especially for a local.

Also I didn't need any stamps. This was for my 12 year old to fly alone for the Airline. Something doesn't sound right but...

Scott

hansbert · #4 05-19-2004, 10:12 AM

To be a notary in the DR it is indispensable to be an attorney at law (abogado) and to be registered with the Procuraduría General de la República (Office of the Attorney General)
Any valid notarized statement must be personally signed by the notary and have stamps on it. The personal statement of the notary at the bottom of the notarized document only refers to the authenticity of the signature(s) of the person(s) signing the document and not to its contents.
To my knowledge there are also general regulations regarding the fees they may charge but they are rarely applied.

Chris_NJ · #5 05-19-2004, 10:50 AM

I just had my girlfriend fax to me what the lawyer actually did for 800 pesos. The laywer (Rodolfo Morales Almonte in POP) typed a letter which two "declarantes" swore an estimated value of her business. The lawyer than notarized this statement with his signature and stamps made by these 2 "declarantes" (I don't know what position of authority they were).

I don't know how much weight a letter like this carries but it makes a little more sense to me now how it would cost 800 pesos as the lawyer did something more than just notarize something.

Any opinions?

Oche · #6 05-19-2004, 11:39 AM

Standard daily practice. If a notary doesn't care about the persons who are involved in the legal act wether those may be parties or witnesses, why would you have to care? after all you are paying for legal protection and getting it so far, that should give you peace of mind. Anyhow it's the notary's *** who's on the line not yours. Don't worry about this, it has no importance whatsoever.

BushBaby · #7 05-19-2004, 01:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oche

Standard daily practice. If a notary doesn't care about the persons who are involved in the legal act wether those may be parties or witnesses, why would you have to care? after all you are paying for legal protection and getting it so far, that should give you peace of mind. Anyhow it's the notary's *** who's on the line not yours. Don't worry about this, it has no importance whatsoever.

I think Chris was more interested in the response as to whether this was a FAIR price (RD $800) for the work done, than as to whether the "Witnesses" were suitable to perform their duties!

I am a bit concerned by Scott's attorney 'notorising' something without stamps however - that seems unusual. Maybe the circumstances didn't need FULL 'Notorisation' & an attorney's letter surficed (well, I presume it surficed as Scott didn't say he had to go kick BUTT on this occassion), but it is NORMAL for letters/documentation requiring notorising to need "stamps" of some sort, just to keep things totally legal!!

Just Knit Picking!!!! - Grahame.

Escott · #8 05-19-2004, 01:52 PM

haha, I had no problems with the letter at American Airlines for my 12 year old to fly by herself.

GringoCArlos · #9 05-19-2004, 02:12 PM

The difference between a US Notary Public and a Dominican notario, is that in the US, the Notary Public is certifying that the signer is who they say they are. Period.

In the DR, a notario MUST be an attorney, and be registered as a notario, but more importantly, they are not only certifying that the signer is who they say they are, but ALSO that the document is a legal, proper document, and is following established legal procedures. If it doesn't, the notario goes to jail. Period. That's the explanation for the lengthy review, and the cost. $800 sounds like a fair price.

Chris_NJ · #10 05-19-2004, 02:54 PM

So, it is a more in depth process performed by a lawyer who is technically accountable for the truthfulness of that facts - hence the higher price.

Next question - do Dominicans notarized statements carry any weight in the eyes of American institutions? (ie consulate). She first got the letter for her bank to show proof of ownership/value of her business so that they would give her a credit card.

And finally, I would think the lawyers name/reputation could contribute to the credibility of the document he notarizes - does anyone know the rep of lawyer Rodolfo Morales Almonte?