What do Europeans call someone who can witness signatures?
Jun 20th 2009, 5:22 pm
#1
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What do Europeans call someone who can witness signatures?
I need to sign a document, and have someone else sign as a witness. It can't be just anyone. The witness must be someone acting in some official capacity, with an official seal of some kind.
In the US, the term is "notary public", but I've learned not to use that term in Europe because it means something entirely different. It seems to refer to a real estate lawyer in Europe; and I'm told it costs hundreds of dollars to have one of these lawyers notarize a document (in the US, it's often free and rarely costs more than $2 per document).
Bank tellers give a blank stare when I ask them to witness signing something.. apparently it's not something bankers do in these parts.
In the US, the term is "notary public", but I've learned not to use that term in Europe because it means something entirely different. It seems to refer to a real estate lawyer in Europe; and I'm told it costs hundreds of dollars to have one of these lawyers notarize a document (in the US, it's often free and rarely costs more than $2 per document).
Bank tellers give a blank stare when I ask them to witness signing something.. apparently it's not something bankers do in these parts.
Jun 20th 2009, 7:05 pm
#2
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Location: Hérault (34)
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Re: What do Europeans call someone who can witness signatures?
I need to sign a document, and have someone else sign as a witness. It can't be just anyone. The witness must be someone acting in some official capacity, with an official seal of some kind.
In the US, the term is "notary public", but I've learned not to use that term in Europe because it means something entirely different. It seems to refer to a real estate lawyer in Europe; and I'm told it costs hundreds of dollars to have one of these lawyers notarize a document (in the US, it's often free and rarely costs more than $2 per document).
Bank tellers give a blank stare when I ask them to witness signing something.. apparently it's not something bankers do in these parts.
In the US, the term is "notary public", but I've learned not to use that term in Europe because it means something entirely different. It seems to refer to a real estate lawyer in Europe; and I'm told it costs hundreds of dollars to have one of these lawyers notarize a document (in the US, it's often free and rarely costs more than $2 per document).
Bank tellers give a blank stare when I ask them to witness signing something.. apparently it's not something bankers do in these parts.
Last edited by dmu; Jun 20th 2009 at 7:07 pm.
Jun 21st 2009, 8:34 am
#3
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Re: What do Europeans call someone who can witness signatures?
In Italy it would also be a "notaio".
As DMU said - they are not just for writing up house selling and buying contracts. In fact they'd be horrified to be classed as real estate lawyers.
As DMU said - they are not just for writing up house selling and buying contracts. In fact they'd be horrified to be classed as real estate lawyers.
Jun 21st 2009, 3:23 pm
#4
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Re: What do Europeans call someone who can witness signatures?
In Spain, a notary
Jun 22nd 2009, 10:32 am
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Re: What do Europeans call someone who can witness signatures?
I need to sign a document, and have someone else sign as a witness. It can't be just anyone. The witness must be someone acting in some official capacity, with an official seal of some kind.
In the US, the term is "notary public", but I've learned not to use that term in Europe because it means something entirely different. It seems to refer to a real estate lawyer in Europe; and I'm told it costs hundreds of dollars to have one of these lawyers notarize a document (in the US, it's often free and rarely costs more than $2 per document).
Bank tellers give a blank stare when I ask them to witness signing something.. apparently it's not something bankers do in these parts.
In the US, the term is "notary public", but I've learned not to use that term in Europe because it means something entirely different. It seems to refer to a real estate lawyer in Europe; and I'm told it costs hundreds of dollars to have one of these lawyers notarize a document (in the US, it's often free and rarely costs more than $2 per document).
Bank tellers give a blank stare when I ask them to witness signing something.. apparently it's not something bankers do in these parts.
Notar
Jun 22nd 2009, 6:44 pm
#6
Joined: Apr 2002
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Re: What do Europeans call someone who can witness signatures?
I need to sign a document, and have someone else sign as a witness. It can't be just anyone. The witness must be someone acting in some official capacity, with an official seal of some kind.
In the US, the term is "notary public", but I've learned not to use that term in Europe because it means something entirely different.
In the US, the term is "notary public", but I've learned not to use that term in Europe because it means something entirely different.
Jun 24th 2009, 6:53 am
#7
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Re: What do Europeans call someone who can witness signatures?
Thanks for all the feedback folks. Turns out searching for "notaire" rather than "notary public" did the trick. Although these notaires apparently charge hundreds to sign house closing documents, they're more reasonable when it comes to other documents. I think I was quoted something like 15 EUR per document.
The US embassy wants $50 to witness two documents - and that cost exceeds the value of the service I need the documents notarized for, so I'm not willing to use the US embassy.
I've noticed that the Australian embassy charges half as much, but they stipulate that the documents must be related to Australian business.
After pressing the question to more bankers, and I found one banker who said their bank can witness signatures and apply the seal of the bank. And they do it for free in some cases - which is evidently why it's a well kept secret.
I've noticed that the Australian embassy charges half as much, but they stipulate that the documents must be related to Australian business.
After pressing the question to more bankers, and I found one banker who said their bank can witness signatures and apply the seal of the bank. And they do it for free in some cases - which is evidently why it's a well kept secret.
Last edited by jgombos; Jun 24th 2009 at 6:55 am.
Jun 28th 2009, 9:58 am
#8
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Re: What do Europeans call someone who can witness signatures?
Depending on the document, it can also be done at the town hall. Far cheaper than a notaio.
Jun 29th 2009, 10:58 am
#9
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Re: What do Europeans call someone who can witness signatures?
The bank turned out to be a dead-end as well. The bank would only work with documents that are related to banking business. And post offices in Belgium offer no such service.
So the question is, will a notaire also require the document to be in French?
One would think it doesn't matter what's on the document, because the notary is only expected to verify that the signer is the person they claim to be.
Jun 29th 2009, 8:28 pm
#10
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Re: What do Europeans call someone who can witness signatures?
The document that I signed before a French Notaire was a translation made by me into English. I simply showed my identity, signed it before her and she stamped it with her seal. She didn't ask to see what document was attached and it didn't bother her that my declaration was in English.
Jul 6th 2009, 6:44 am
#11
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Re: What do Europeans call someone who can witness signatures?
How about an Endorsement ? Atleast did you get it done at the end or ..... ?
Regards
Anita Patt
Regards
Anita Patt
Jul 30th 2009, 11:26 am
#12
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Re: What do Europeans call someone who can witness signatures?
I give up! What do Europeans call someone who can witness signatures?
