**Executive Summary**
This document addresses Unstarred Question No. 947 regarding delays in the appointment and renewal of notaries in Karnataka, as asked by Shri B Y Raghavendra, to be answered on Friday, December 5th, 2025. The Minister of Law and Justice clarifies the status of notary appointments and renewals and addresses concerns about potential inconveniences to the public and legal practitioners. The document also states that a public notice regarding the cancellation of the appointment process was issued on May 26th, 2023.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Notary Renewal:**
* The renewal of Certificates of Practice for existing Notaries is an ongoing process.
* Applications for renewal are reviewed and processed routinely.
* **Notary Appointments:**
* Online interviews were conducted in February-March 2023 for applications received until August 31st, 2022.
* Due to administrative reasons, the notary appointment process was cancelled.
* A public notice regarding the cancellation was issued on the Department of Legal Affairs website on May 26th, 2023.
* **Notary Presence:**
* Notaries are appointed by both the Central Government and the State Government of Karnataka under the Notaries Act, 1952, and Notaries Rules, 1956.
* More than 1700 notaries appointed by the Central Government are registered in Karnataka.
**Impact Analysis**
**Public**
* **Impact:** The public relies on notarial services for document attestation and other legal procedures. Potential delays or disruptions in notary appointments could lead to inconvenience.
* **Action Required:** Consult the Department of Legal Affairs website for updates and information regarding notary services.
**Legal Practitioners in Karnataka**
* **Impact:** Delays in notary appointments could affect the availability of notarial services for legal practitioners and their clients.
* **Action Required:** Stay informed about the status of notary appointments and renewals through official channels, such as the Department of Legal Affairs website.
Key Entities Referenced
Notaries Act, 1952: Governs the appointment and regulation of notaries.
Notaries Rules, 1956: Rules that supplement the Notaries Act, 1952, regarding the appointment and regulation of notaries.
Karnataka: The state where the notary appointments and renewals are facing delays.
Ministry of Law and Justice: The ministry responsible for addressing the issues related to notary appointments and renewals.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF LAW AND JUSTICE
DEPARTMENT OF LEGAL AFFAIRS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 947
TO BE ANSWERED ON FRIDAY 05.12.2025
NOTARY APPLICATION AND RENEWAL
947. Shri B Y Raghavendra:
Will the Minister of Law and Justice be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government is aware of the delay in the appointment of new
notaries and in the renewal of existing notary registrations in Karnataka;
(b) if so, the reasons for such delay, particularly with reference to the disposal
of applications pending under the Notaries Act, 1952 and the Notaries Rules,
1956;
(c) whether the Government has issued any interim instructions or guidelines
to ensure that the functioning of notarial services and attestation of public
documents are not adversely affected due to the said delay, if so, the details
thereof; and
(d) the steps being taken by the Government to expedite the scrutiny, approval
and issuance of notary certificates to avoid inconvenience to the public and
to legal practitioners in the State?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF
LAW AND JUSTICE; AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF
PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS
(SHRI ARJUN RAM MEGHWAL)
(a) to (d): Renewal of Certificate of Practice of the existing Notaries is a
continuous process and applications for renewal received in the
prescribed form are considered and disposed of in routine. Online
interviews for appointment of Notaries by the Central Government in
the State of Karnataka for the applications received till 31.08.2022 were
held in February- March, 2023. However, due to administrative
reasons, the process of appointment was cancelled. A public notice inthis regard was published on the official website of the Department of
Legal Affairs on 26.05.2023. Notaries in the State of Karnataka are
appointed by the Central Government and as well by the State
Government of Karnataka under the Notaries Act, 1952 and Notaries
Rules, 1956. As on date, more than 1700 notaries find place in the
register of Notaries appointed in Karnataka by the Central Government,
besides the Notaries appointed by the State Government in Karnataka.
******