Certification of Signature or Notarial Certification

District commissioners in each jurisdiction handle notarial certification, which involves official confirmation of the content stipulated in the certification. Notarial certification is equivalent to the certification by two individuals regarding the event or fact it concerns.

Notarial certification may include:

• Certification of a signature or handshake on a legal document

• Certification of a person's competence or authority to sign the document

• Certification of events or actions

It is most common to request a notarial certification for:

• Signature: This is often required by the recipient of the document, for example, if the document is to be sent abroad.

• Signing of a will: This ensures that the requirements of inheritance laws are followed during the signing of the will. The person signing the will must be of sound mind and health to make the will.

• Signing of a prenup: This ensures that the signature was executed according to the rules, although the certification does not guarantee confidentiality regarding the content of the prenup. Anyone may request information about the existence and content of a prenup.

• Handwriting sample: If it is anticipated that the same person will repeatedly need notarial certification of their signature, they may provide a handwriting sample to the notary at their own responsibility. The notary can then certify the signature based on a written request without the person needing to appear in person.

How a Signature is Certified

Signature certification takes place at the district commissioner's office. The person requesting the certification must present identification and sign the document or acknowledge their signature in the presence of the district commissioner's representative.

Cost

Notarial certification of a signature costs ISK 2,700.

Notarial certification of a will and contracts costs ISK 5,400.

Apostille Certification

Foreign recipients sometimes require an apostille certification for a document. In this case, the document must first be notarially certified by the district commissioner and then taken to the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, which provides the apostille certification on top of the notarial certification.

When Icelandic documents and certificates are used abroad, the recipient may request formal certification. Formal certification means that the Ministry for Foreign Affairs stamps and confirms that the relevant authority in Iceland issued or certified the document.

It is important to note that the ministry's certification does not constitute confirmation of the content of the document. It merely confirms that the Icelandic authority that issued or stamped the document did so.