Key Points
- Over 36,000 digitally signed notary certificates issued across India since portal launch
- Portal eliminates physical paperwork for notary appointments and renewals
- Only verification and certificate issuance modules currently operational
The Centre has issued more than 36,000 digitally signed certificates to newly appointed notaries across India through a dedicated online portal, replacing the decades-old paper-based system for notary appointments and renewals.
The Notary Portal, launched by the Ministry of Law and Justice, provides an online interface between notaries and the government for services governed by the Notaries Act, 1952 and the Notaries Rules, 1956. The shift to digital issuance means notaries no longer need to collect physical certificates from government offices or wait for postal delivery.
Arjun Ram Meghwal, Minister of State for Law and Justice, disclosed the figures in a written reply to a Lok Sabha question on Friday. As of 6 March 2026, the portal had issued 36,269 digitally signed Certificates of Practice to newly appointed notaries across all states and union territories, he stated.
What the Notary Portal offers citizens and legal professionals
A Certificate of Practice is the official document that authorises a person to work as a notary, authenticating documents, administering oaths and attesting signatures for legal purposes. Previously, these certificates were printed, signed manually and dispatched physically, a process that could take weeks.
The portal now allows applicants to submit applications for notary appointments online, verify their eligibility through the system and receive digitally signed certificates. A digitally signed certificate uses cryptographic technology to verify that the document is authentic and has not been tampered with, carrying the same legal validity as a physical signature under the Information Technology Act, 2000.
The ministry described the system as faceless, paperless and transparent. Applicants can track their applications without visiting government offices or relying on intermediaries.
Modules still awaiting launch
The portal currently operates with limited functionality. Only the modules for document verification, eligibility checking and certificate issuance to newly appointed notaries are live.
Several other services remain under development. These include online renewal of Certificates of Practice, applications for change of practice area and submission of mandatory annual returns that notaries must file with the government. The ministry did not provide a timeline for when these additional modules would become operational.
India has approximately 20,000 practising notaries, according to ministry estimates. The portal is expected to serve this entire community once all modules are functional, reducing administrative delays and eliminating the need for physical documentation across routine notarial processes.
Your Questions, Answered
What is the Notary Portal launched by the government?
The Notary Portal is an online platform by the Ministry of Law and Justice that allows notaries to apply for appointments, verify eligibility and receive digitally signed Certificates of Practice without physical paperwork.
How many digitally signed notary certificates have been issued so far?
As of 6 March 2026, the portal has issued 36,269 digitally signed Certificates of Practice to newly appointed notaries across all Indian states and union territories.
What services are currently available on the Notary Portal?
Currently, only document verification, eligibility checking and issuance of digitally signed certificates to newly appointed notaries are operational. Renewal, change of practice area and annual return modules are pending.
Is a digitally signed Certificate of Practice legally valid?
Yes. Under the Information Technology Act, 2000, digitally signed documents carry the same legal validity as physically signed documents. The cryptographic signature ensures authenticity and prevents tampering.
