Notarial services

Liechtenstein Notaries are public officials who are given state authority to draw up official public documents. They ensure the authenticity, validity and safe-keeping of these documents. They are legally obliged to be impartial and objective and ensure public faith.

“Public” certification does not mean they can be accessed by the general public: Notaries are subjected to the strictest legal obligations to confidentiality. Here, “public” means much more - Notaries are carrying out a public duty by creating these documents and certifications.

Public certification according to domestic law

Liechtenstein legislators have prescribed an official public certification procedure for the most important legal documents, such as founding a business or legal entity (publicly listed or limited company), for changes to the constitution of legal entities or documents relating to property and real estate. These types of official public documents can be drawn up by Notaries.

Notaries can also certify legal facts and legal relationships if a notarial document is required to protect the interests thereof and their legal significance is overseen by a Notary.

Furthermore, Liechtenstein Notaries can also draw up so-called executable documents, which have the same legal standing as an agreement made before a court.

Aside from the creation of official public documents, a Liechtenstein Notary can provide the following certifications:

Attestation of signatures and initials
Certification of copies / transcripts / excerpts
Certification of translations
Date attestations

It should be noted that these services can also be provided by public authorities, often at a cheaper price. Official public certifications are provided by the Liechtenstein “Fürstlichen Landgericht” (Royal Court) and the Department for Justice. Attestations can be provided by the “Fürstlichen Landgericht” (Royal Court), the Department for Justice and by local authorities.

The costs of official public certifications and attestations in accordance with domestic law by Liechtenstein Notaries can be found here.

Public certification according to foreign law

Liechtenstein Notaries can provide official public certifications according to foreign law, meaning that foreign customers can also receive the best possible service. This includes the following services:

Issuing documents in accordance with foreign law:

These types of documents can be drawn up if the Liechtenstein Notary understands the legal act to be certified, and is able to explain it to the parties, has an overview of the relevant foreign law and can therefore check the legal act to be certified with regards to its consistency with the relevant foreign law.
Recording affidavits, oaths and other similar declarations

The same conditions apply for these as for the creation of documents in accordance with foreign law.
Recording sworn or unsworn witness statements for use in or preparation for legal proceedings abroad (“pretrial depositions”).

The costs for these services can be found here.

Fees

The Notary has the right to freely agree their fees. The fees are to be calculated based on the type and extent of work required and the complexity of the case. The Chamber of Notaries has issued Fee Guidelines to assist with calculated appropriate fees.

Please note that in Liechtenstein, there is no obligation for Notaries to adhere to this. Different services, such as attestations and official public certifications are also provided at a good price by the “Fürstlichen Landgericht” (Royal Court), the Department for Justice and local authorities. We recommend comparing the costs in advance.