At Aktas Law, P.A., we offer Florida-authorized civil-law notary services for clients who need internationally recognized legal documentation. Our services are designed for individuals and businesses operating in civil law jurisdictions, where notarization carries significantly greater legal weight than in common law systems. Unlike a notary public in a common law framework, a civil law notary is authorized to draft, certify, and formalize documents with enhanced evidentiary authority. Whether you’re conducting business across borders, finalizing international real estate transactions, authenticating legal documents, or working with a qualified attorney to prepare cross-border contracts, our civil-law notary services provide the legal certainty and formality required abroad.
A civil-law notary is a licensed Florida attorney in good standing with The Florida Bar who has practiced law for at least five years and is appointed by the Florida Department of State through the Secretary of State to issue “authentic acts.” These acts are legally recognized in many civil-law jurisdictions and are presumed correct under Florida law.
Under Florida Statutes, including Chapter 118, a civil-law notary has authority far beyond that of a traditional notary public. While notaries public typically witness signatures and administer acknowledgments, civil law notaries may draft documents, provide legal advice, and create instruments that hold independent evidentiary value. Florida is one of the very few jurisdictions in the United States, along with Louisiana, that follows a civil-law tradition, which authorizes civil-law notaries to exercise this elevated authority.
Unlike notaries public, who primarily witness signatures, civil-law notaries are authorized to:
This expanded authority ensures that notarization performed by a civil-law notary meets the expectations of foreign courts, government agencies, corporations, and civil law institutions. In many civil law countries, documents must be executed before civil law notaries to be fully enforceable, and a standard notary public may be insufficient.
Civil-law notary services are often required when:
Civil law systems place substantial reliance on civil law notaries, who are public officials entrusted with drafting and certifying legally binding instruments. Standard notarization in a common law system does not always meet these requirements.
Our civil-law notary, Seda Aktas, is a licensed attorney and member of The Florida Bar, appointed by the Secretary of State and authorized under Chapter 118 to issue authentic acts recognized internationally. This dual role as attorney and civil law notary ensures that clients receive both proper notarization and sound legal advice.
We understand the legal requirements of civil law jurisdictions throughout Latin America and Europe. Our firm prepares documents in a manner consistent with international expectations and, where applicable, standards recognized by organizations such as the International Union of Notaries.
We ensure every document is properly drafted, executed, sealed, and entered into formal archives in accordance with Florida law and applicable regulations. Our structured notarial protocol provides an additional layer of reliability for cross-border enforcement.
We can prepare and certify legal documents in English and other languages as needed for international use, ensuring accuracy and compliance in cross-border transactions.
We ensure that all acts comply with Florida Statutes Chapter 118 and the administrative rules outlined by the Florida Department of State, providing comprehensive civil-law notary services for international use.
Our services include:
Where appropriate and legally permissible, we can also coordinate remote online notarization or mobile notary logistics in conjunction with civil-law requirements, ensuring flexibility while maintaining compliance.
Get answers to the most common questions about civil-law notary services and international document authentication.
A civil-law notary is a licensed attorney appointed under Florida Statutes Chapter 118 with authority to draft and certify legal documents as authentic acts. Unlike a notary public, who primarily verifies identity and witnesses signatures, a civil-law notary provides legal advice and ensures that documents comply with both Florida law and the civil law requirements of foreign jurisdictions.
Yes. Civil-law notaries are widely recognized in civil-law countries throughout Latin America and Europe, including France, Spain, Germany, Italy, and the Netherlands. Their authentic acts carry legal weight and evidentiary value abroad, particularly in jurisdictions where civil law notaries serve as essential legal gatekeepers.
If your contract, probate filing, lease, corporate document, or immigration-related instrument will be used in a civil law jurisdiction, a civil-law notary may be required to ensure enforceability. We can evaluate your situation and provide tailored legal advice.
Yes. We prepare documents for apostille and coordinate certification through the Florida Department of State to ensure they are recognized in the United States and internationally.
Yes. Florida and Louisiana are the only U.S. jurisdictions that authorize civil-law notaries with authority similar to that in traditional civil-law systems, making Florida a strategic location for international notarization services.
If you need a document authenticated for use abroad or require an official act that carries international legal weight, Aktas Law, P.A. is here to help.
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contact@aktaslawyers.com
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