Grand Council AG Notaries in Aargau must have Swiss citizenship
In the canton of Aargau, notaries must still have Swiss citizenship. On Tuesday, the Grand Council unanimously approved the revised Notarization and Authentication Act after the second consultation.
02.07.2024, 14:22
SDA
The Government Council had originally proposed removing the current provision on citizenship from the law. However, during the first consultation of the law in August 2023, the Grand Council narrowly decided that notaries must have Swiss citizenship. With a view to the second consultation of the law, the cantonal government relented.
The revised law brings simplifications, for example by making it easier to recognize patents from outside the canton. It is also about finding enough notaries. Parliament and the cantonal government fear that there could be a shortage in the future.
There are currently 135 people registered in the notarization register of the canton of Aargau. Two thirds of them are over the age of 50 and a third of the notaries are over 65, according to the message from the cantonal government.
Freelance system with state supervision
The canton of Aargau follows the system of a freelance notary's office. Notaries are not employed by the canton and carry out their work under their own personal and financial responsibility.
They notarize legally binding contracts in connection with inheritance and matrimonial law. They also notarize the purchase of real estate.
Fee of up to CHF 20,000
The fee for the notarization of contracts for the transfer of ownership of real estate and for the establishment of independent and permanent building rights is based on the value of the contract.
Up to a value of CHF 600,000, 4 per thousand or at least CHF 300 must be paid. For higher values, the fee is a maximum of CHF 20,000. The certification of a signature or a translation costs 20 francs.
