📨 Reform Proposal Letter to Ministry of Law & Justice
To The Secretary Department of Legal Affairs Ministry of Law & Justice Government of India New Delhi – 110001
Subject: Proposal for Strengthening Notarial Services in India – Eligibility, Fee Transparency, Digital Signature Mandate, and Citizen Guidance
Respected Sir/Madam,
I write to you as a citizen-reformist committed to enhancing transparency, accountability, and accessibility in legal and financial services. The notarial system, being a cornerstone of public documentation and legal authentication, deserves renewed attention and reform. I respectfully submit the following proposals for your kind consideration:
1. Raise Eligibility Criteria for Notary Appointment
The current eligibility under Rule 3 of the Notaries Rules, 1956 allows appointment after 10 years of legal practice (7 years for certain categories). I propose raising this threshold to 15 years of continuous legal practice for all applicants. This will ensure that only seasoned professionals with proven ethical standards and procedural experience are entrusted with notarial powers.
2. Mandate Periodic Publication of Notary Fee Schedules
Citizens often face confusion or overcharging due to lack of awareness about prescribed fees. I propose that the Central Government:
Publish quarterly fee schedules in national and regional newspapers.
Ensure trilingual dissemination (English, Hindi, and regional language).
Include QR codes or portal links for online verification and grievance redressal.
3. Make Digital Signature or Verifiable Authentication Mandatory
To prevent forgery, impersonation, and misuse of notarized documents, I propose that:
Every notarized document must bear a digitally signed seal or a verifiable signature code linked to the notary’s registration.
The Central Notary Portal should enable real-time verification of notarial acts by citizens, banks, and government offices.
This will enhance trust in notarized documents and reduce litigation arising from fraudulent attestations.
4. Issue a Public Guide on Using Notarial Services
To empower citizens, I recommend the Ministry publish a simplified explainer titled “How to Use Notary Services in India”, covering:
When and why notarization is required
How to verify a notary’s credentials
Fee structure and complaint mechanisms
Rights of citizens under the Notaries Act, 1952
Such a guide can be disseminated via post offices, legal aid centers, and Panchayat offices to ensure rural outreach.
🕵️♂️ How to Identify a Valid Notary
Citizens can verify a notary’s authenticity using the following steps:
✅ Check the Central Notary Register: Visit the maintained by the Department of Legal Affairs.
🔍 Verify Stamp Details: A valid notary stamp must include:
Name of the notary
Registration number
Jurisdiction (State or Central)
📅 Check Validity Period: The stamp should mention the certificate’s validity. You may confirm this with the issuing authority if in doubt.
📞 Contact Local Legal Authority: For further verification, contact the district legal services authority or the relevant state law department.
I trust these suggestions align with the Ministry’s commitment to citizen-centric legal reform. I would be honored to assist further in drafting outreach materials or citizen explainers to support implementation.
Yours sincerely, Vinay Dadmal 55-First Floor, Swarajnagar, Behind Omkarnagar Manewada Ring Road, Nagpur – 440027 Email: dadmalv2015@gmail.com
Place: Nagpur Date: August 24, 2025
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