Conditions for Establishing a Notarized Translation Office under the Law

Important note: The law does not provide for a separate entity type called a “notarized translation office”. Notarization of translations is a professional activity performed by a notarial practice organization (notary office, notary practice office) through interpreter collaborators (Article 61 of the Law on Notarization 2024). Therefore, to provide notarized translation services, you need to establish a notary practice office and organize translation activities within that framework.

Legal basis

• Law on Notarization 2024 (effective from 01/7/2025) — Articles 22, 23, 61.

Conditions for establishing a notary practice office

• Organized and operated as a partnership;
• Having 02 or more partner notaries; no capital-contributing members;
• The Office Head is a partner notary who has practiced notarization for 02 years or more;
• The name includes the phrase “Notary Practice Office” together with the Office Head’s full name (or another partner notary’s name as agreed);
• Having an office meeting Government-prescribed conditions; having its own seal and account.

Establishment application dossier

• Application for establishment and establishment plan (necessity, organization, name, personnel, office, material conditions, implementation plan);
• Copies of the appointment decisions of the notaries participating in the establishment.

Procedures

1. The provincial People’s Committee considers and decides to permit establishment within 20 days from receipt of a complete dossier;
2. Within 90 days from receipt of the establishment permission decision, the notary practice office registers its operation at the Department of Justice;
3. The Department of Justice issues the operation registration certificate within 10 working days; the notary practice office may operate from the date of issuance.

Conditions for translation activities for notarization (Article 61)

• The translator must be a collaborator of the notarial practice organization: a graduate of a foreign language university or another university with proficiency in that language;
• The collaborator is responsible for the accuracy of the translation; signs each page of the translation;
• The notary certifies the translator’s signature and the accuracy of the translation’s content.

To establish a notary practice office and organize notarized translation activities in compliance with regulations, please contact ANT Legal’s lawyers for review and advice before proceeding.