Introduction to E-Notarisation
In recent times, the world of legal documents has been changing. Thanks to two important decisions from the Delhi High Court, an E-Notary Platform Gains Acceptance in India as NotarEase becomes popular. This platform helps people get their documents notarised electronically. This process, called e-notarisation, allows documents to be signed and verified without needing to meet a notary in person. This makes things easier for everyone involved.
The Need for a New Process
Notarisation is an important step in making legal documents valid. A notary is a trained legal person who checks the identity of those signing documents. They help confirm that a document is real and not forged. Normally, a notary meets the client in person to do this. But in many cases, lawyers or clerks do this on behalf of clients. This can be slow and might lead to lost documents.
Karmanya Singh Sareen, a young advocate and co-founder of NotarEase, saw these problems first-hand. He worked on this idea for around two years. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he had a client in Dubai who needed to file a trademark in India. “What we realised is, this can be done online, over a video call,” Sareen said. This idea inspired him to create NotarEase, making notarisation fast and efficient.
How NotarEase Works
NotarEase is designed to make the notarisation process simple. Here’s how it works:
- Users prepare their documents by following an easy guide on the website.
- Documents are uploaded to the portal, along with the signatory’s information. The signatory must have a NotarEase account.
- Users make a payment and book a time slot for their meeting.
- During the scheduled time, the notary and client meet online through Google Meet. The notary checks the client’s identity.
- After verifying, the notary initiates the signing process.
- A link is sent to the client’s verified email to sign using digital signatures.
- When all parties have signed, the notary adds their signature, making it officially notarised.
Legal Support for E-Notarisation
The journey of NotarEase took a major turn when the Delhi High Court approved this new method of notarisation. The first approval came in February 2024 when Sareen filed a trademark infringement case for his Dubai client. The court accepted the digitally signed documents. This was a historic moment, marking the first time e-notarisation was accepted by a court in India.
A second approval followed in May 2024. A law firm founded by Sareen’s parents needed to notarise documents but could not visit a notary due to tight schedules. They used NotarEase’s virtual services. The court was satisfied with the electronically signed documents, reinforcing the platform’s validity.
Positive Feedback and Challenges
NotarEase proudly displays these court orders on its website, claiming to be “India’s first and only court-accepted e-notarisation platform.” Ramni Taneja, an experienced notary approved by the Central Government, supports this platform but raises some concerns. She mentions that while the court has approved e-notarisation, there are still some questions that need answers. One is how to keep proper records of electronic notarisation, as required by law.
Despite these challenges, Sareen emphasizes the platform’s security. “We have followed all systemic safeguards,” he explains. He assures users that there are many checks in place to prevent fraud or impersonation. Digital records provide benefits that physical notarisation does not, such as proof of who signed what documents.
Comparing E-Notarisation and Traditional Notarisation
A significant advantage of e-notarisation is that it reduces the risks of document loss. Physical notarisation can cause documents to get lost or damaged.”Sareen shares, “Sometimes notarial registers get lost, burn, or mice eat into them. E-notarisation logs every action digitally, providing a clear history of what happened.This transparency helps build trust and makes the process easier for courts and clients.
The Future of NotarEase and E-Notarisation
NotarEase is a small team of only five people, including other co-founders. Despite their size, they are making a big impact. Their advertisements can now be seen in places like the Delhi High Court. The rise of e-notary services indicates growing acceptance across Indian courts.
Another start-up named eNotary recently began offering similar services. Their co-founders, lawyers Prateek Lakra and Avi Kalra, believe that e-notarised documents are becoming more accepted. “We are seeing greater acceptance of e-notarised documents across various courts in the country,” Lakra says.
Conclusion
The introduction of NotarEase is a significant step toward modernising the notarisation process in India. With growing acceptance from the courts, e-notarisation could soon become the norm. This could save time and make transactions much easier for everyone. As technology continues to improve, we can expect more changes in how legal processes operate in the future. When it comes to notarising documents, NotarEase is paving the way.
