Difference between HK Notary Public and US Notary Public
Notary Public Qualifications
A Hong Kong Notary Public must be an HK practising solicitor for at least 7 years, and appointed by the Chief Judge of the Hong Kong High Court and one must sit an extensive series of examinations at considerable costs and be able to get Letters of Support from judges, fellow members of the legal profession and people of good standing.
The name of a Notary Public must be registered in Register of Notaries Public kept by the Hong Kong High Court.
A Hong Kong Notary Public is primarily concerned with the preparation and authentication of documents for use abroad (except Mainland China), and is widely recognized internationally.
In the US, a notary does not have to be a lawyer. A US notary may purchase their entitlement for a limited period.
Notary Public’s Term of Office
Hong Kong notary public is qualified for an indefinite period, and therefore has no expiry date of the term of office. A Hong Kong Notary Public is not “commissioned” to practise for a term or period of time. However, a Notary Public is required to renew his or her practising status annually.
In the US, a notary will pay a fee to practice for a predetermined length of time. This period is referred to as the ‘commission’. Therefore, all US Notaries must include a reference to the expiry date of their commission on the documents notarized by them.
For URGENT Hong Kong Notary Public or Apostille or Consulate Legalization Services, please contact :
Chow & Cheung, Hong Kong Solicitors & Notaries
Tel: +852 2856 3078 / +852 2856 3799 Email: cac@ccsn.hk
www.ccsn.hk