Notarial certification in Vaduz

What a certification confirms

With a certification (Beglaubigung) the notary confirms one specific fact, for example that a signature was made by the signing person or that a copy reproduces the document presented completely and correctly (Art. 42 et seq. NotarG). The certification covers only that fact. If the notary is to draw up a deed recording facts or a legal transaction, that is a notarial deed.

Whether a certification is sufficient follows from the applicable formal requirements or from the authority receiving the document, such as a land register or commercial register.

Types of certification

• Signature (Art. 42 NotarG): you sign in the notary's presence or acknowledge the signature as your own. The signature of an absent or deceased person cannot be certified.
• Copy (Art. 43 NotarG): the notary confirms that the copy reproduces a document presented to him completely and correctly, stating where necessary whether an original or a certified copy was presented.
• Transcript (Art. 44 NotarG): paragraphs, insertions, deletions and other changes in the document presented are expressly noted.
• Extract (Art. 45 NotarG): the parts essential for the stated purpose are reproduced verbatim and completely; omissions are marked.
• Translation (Art. 46 NotarG): the notary confirms that the translation of a document is correct, involving a translator if he does not sufficiently master the language.
• Date (Art. 47 NotarG): the notary confirms when and by whom a document was presented to him.

The appointment

1. Arrange an appointment: by phone on +423 376 54 54 or by email to office@scheiber.law. Let us know in advance which document is to be certified and for what purpose.
2. Identity: if the notary does not know the signing person, he checks the identity using an official photo ID, in particular a passport (Art. 42(2) and Art. 27(2) NotarG).
3. Signing or presenting: you sign before the notary or acknowledge your signature; for copies, transcripts and extracts you present the document.
4. Certification note: the notary signs and stamps the note, stating place and date, and records the personal details of the signing person. The note is placed on the document itself or bound to it (Art. 48 NotarG).
5. Register: the notary keeps a chronological register of the essential data of certifications (Art. 49 NotarG).

What to bring

• an official photo ID, in particular your passport,
• the document to be signed (unsigned, if you sign before the notary),
• for copies, transcripts, extracts and translations: the original or a certified copy,
• if you act for a company or another person: proof of authority, such as a certified commercial register extract or a power of attorney (Art. 27(2) NotarG).

We will tell you before the appointment which documents are needed in your case.

Electronic certification with eID.li

Under the amended Notary Act, certifications can also be carried out electronically (Art. 49d et seq. NotarG), for example certifying a signature on a paper document electronically, certifying an electronic signature or certifying an electronic copy (Art. 49e and 49f NotarG).

The signature of a person who is not physically present can only be certified in connection with a notarial deed made through the state notarisation and certification system, and only if the notary follows the signing without interruption (Art. 49e(3) NotarG). The ebeurkundung.li platform requires an eID.li for clients. We discuss in advance whether your matter can be handled electronically; see online notarisation with eID.li (German page).

Use abroad

Whether a certified document needs further confirmation abroad depends on the destination country and the receiving authority:

• Apostille: for states party to the Hague Convention of 5 October 1961 (including Germany and Switzerland), the Government Chancellery in Vaduz confirms the notary's signature with an apostille, for an administrative fee of CHF 30 per over-certification (National Administration: apostille).
• Superlegalisation: if the destination state is not a party, the competent consulate must additionally certify the document.
• Austria: under the 1956 treaty between Liechtenstein and Austria on legal assistance, certification, documents and guardianship (LGBl. 1956 No. 10, Art. 11 to 13), public documents and official certifications of signatures and copies are recognised mutually without further certification (Office of Justice information sheet, German).

Registers and authorities in the destination country may set their own requirements for form and language. We clarify this with you before the appointment.

More: Apostille and over-certification in Liechtenstein.

Costs

The fee depends on the nature and extent of the work and the difficulty of the case (Art. 21 NotarG). On request we tell you the expected costs before the appointment. Any apostille is charged separately by the Government Chancellery.