Notary certificates are an integral part of legal and administrative affairs in many instances, but their cost can be significant. This article will discuss the ways to save costs on notary certificates, while still complying with the requirements of the law and the relevant standards.
Uniform Tariff for All Notaries
It is important to understand that the cost of a notary certificate does not change between different notaries because the tariff is a binding tariff set by law. Please Note: if your notary is requesting payment which is not in accordance with the Notary Regulations he is in transgression of the Law.If he is asking for too little – then this may be an indication of a lack of professionalism. If he is asking for too much then this may be an indication of something else.Moreover, when ordering the work from the notary you must check in advance whether there are additional expenses. A notary is permitted (and sometimes even obligated) to request additional payment for expenses and/or for additional work. For example, Apostille fees, courier, messenger, etc. Likewise, there are notaries who request fees for the translation in addition to the cost of the notary certificate itself. That is to say, there is no benefit in looking for a notary who asks for less than others for the same certificate. At the same time, way can be found to limit the expenses involved in notary certificates by implementing a number of smart methods.
Do You Really Need a Notary Certificate?
Before contacting the notary check to see whether there is genuinely a need for a notary certificate. In some cases, certification by a lawyer or some other certified entity may be sufficient. In other cases, a certificate is not needed at all and therefore it is important to check the requirements with the entity requesting the certification.
Saving on Notarized Translations
One of the most expensive certificates is a certificate notarizing a translation, the cost of which is determined on the basis of the number of words in the translated document. To save on this cost, it is recommended to check whether it is possible to limit the number of words in the translation. For example, if we are talking about a document which includes superfluous or overly lengthy, then the content can be reduced and then a translation can be made only of the required parts.
Independent Translation or Reducing Translation Costs
Sometimes, notaries charge separately for the translation and for the certification of the translation. It is recommended to check in advance whether this is indeed the situation, and to examine whether there is a possibility of reducing the cost of the translation by doing this yourself or using an outside translator who charges less. After completing the translation you can contact the notary for the certification only, and by so doing save significant amounts.
Certification of the Translator’s Declaration as an Alternative
In certain cases, a notary certificate may be obtained for the declaration of the translator instead of a full certification of the translation. This possibility can be cheaper, and therefore it is worth your while to check with the notary whether it is suitable for your needs.
Use of Alternative Certificates
You should check whether you can suffice with certification from a lawyer or the certificate of a certified translator from the Israel Translators’ Association. There are cases where official entities or certain institutions accept certificates of this sort instead of a notary certificate, which can cut costs.
Summary
Notary certificates are an essential service in many places, but there are ways to save costs for such. Firstly, you must ensure that indeed a notary certificate is needed and that you can’t make do with a cheaper alternative. In the case of certifying a translation, one can cut costs by cutting the number of words, execute the translation independently or to look for a cheaper external translator. Moreover, you should check whether it is possible to suffice with certifying the translator’s declaration or a certificate from an attorney or a certified translator. By carrying out these measures, you can significantly reduce the expenses involved in receiving notary certificates.
