Notarial office

On 1 January 2020, the Notaries Act came into force in Liechtenstein, introducing the role of notary public in the Principality for the first time. Claudio A. Frick LL.M. is one of the first notaries in Liechtenstein, having passed the notary examination in 2020. 

 

Claudio A. Frick, LL.M. is a member of the Liechtenstein Chamber of Notaries and is registered in the List of Notaries (notary chamber.li).

 

Notarial services

Liechtenstein notaries are public officials authorised by the State to draw up public deeds. They ensure the authenticity, evidential value and safekeeping of these deeds. They are required by law to be impartial and objective and they enjoy public confidence.

“Public” notarisation has nothing to do with publicity: notaries are subject to the strictest confidentiality obligations imposed by law. In this context, public means that the notaries perform a public function when drawing up a deed.

 

Notaries have the right to freely agree a fee. The nature and extent of the work, as well as the degree of difficulty of the case will determine the fee. The Chamber of Notaries has issued a fee guideline on the appropriate amount of the fee to be charged.

 

It should be noted that these services may also be provided by public bodies and, above all, at lower cost. Public notarisations are carried out at the Princely District Court and the Office of Justice. Notarisations may be carried out at the Princely District Court, the Office of Justice and the municipalities.

 

Further information is available on the website of the Liechtenstein Chamber of Notaries (notarialkammer.li). 

Dienstleistungen

Public deeds

Public notarisations under domestic law

The Liechtenstein legislature has made notarisation compulsory for the most important legal deeds, such as the incorporation of legal entities (public limited companies), amendments to articles of association or deeds relating to real estate. Such public deeds can be drawn up by notaries.

 

Public notarisation under foreign law

In order to provide the best possible service to foreign clients, Liechtenstein notaries can also carry out public notarisations in accordance with foreign law. This includes the following services:

 

Issuing of deeds under foreign law:

This may be the case if the Liechtenstein notary understands the legal acts to be notarised, is able to explain them to the parties, has an overview of foreign law and is therefore able to check the legal transaction to be notarised for compatibility with foreign law.

 

Acceptance of affidavits, oaths and comparable forms of declaration

The same requirements apply here as for the issuing of deeds under foreign law.

Recording of unsworn or sworn examinations of witnesses for use in or preparation of court proceedings abroad (“pretrial depositions”).

Notarisation of facts and legal relationships

Liechtenstein notaries may notarise legally relevant facts and legal relationships if there is an interest worthy of protection in their notarisation and the notary is aware of their legal significance.

Certification of signatures, copies & excerpts

Liechtenstein notaries are authorised to certify the following: 

 

  • Signatures and initials
  • Copies / transcripts / excerpts
  • Translations
  • Dates

Deeds to be enforced

Liechtenstein notaries can draw up deeds eligible for enforcement, having the same legal quality as a court settlement.Liechtenstein notaries can draw up deeds eligible for enforcement, having the same legal quality as a court settlement.

Apostille and over-authentication

Over-authentication (apostille, superlegalisation)

 

(Source: Website of the Liechtenstein National Administration, Certifications - Government Chancellery Unit - National Administration - Liechtenstein National Administration (llv.li)

 

General

For international transactions, the Government Chancellery certifies signatures of authorised signatories from the National Administration, the courts, notaries and notarial substitutes as well as mayors and municipalities’ authorised signatories.

 

Over-authentication is divided into “superlegalisation” (or super-authentication) and apostille. The type of over-authentication required depends on the country in which the document is to be recognised.

 

Apostille

A document or certificate with an apostille from the Government Chancellery is recognised worldwide in those countries that have acceded to the Hague Convention of 5 October 1961.

 

Superlegalisation

If a country is not a contracting state, superlegalisation is required. In this case, the consulate responsible for Liechtenstein must also certify the superlegalisation of the Government Chancellery for the document to be valid in the country.

 

For most countries, it is also possible to obtain superlegalisation by post through the Liechtenstein Embassy in Bern.

 

The Government Chancellery Unit can provide apostilles. 

 

Regierungsgebäude
Peter-Kaiser-Platz 1
Postfach 684
9490 Vaduz

 

info.rk@llv.li

T +423 236 60 30

 

Apostilles can also be obtained from the notary if required.