I. Common types of errors in notarized documents

There are various errors that may occur during the production of notarized documents. Common types include:

  • Information entry errors: Personal information such as name, date of birth, ID number, etc. is entered incorrectly; key information such as amount, date, address, etc. in the document is incorrect. For example, if the address of a house is written incorrectly in a real estate notarization document, it may affect subsequent real estate transactions.
  • Ambiguous expressions: The terms in the notarized documents are vague and can easily lead to different interpretations. For example, in a notarized will, if the description of the estate distribution is unclear, it may cause disputes among the heirs.
  • Omission of important content: Certain key clauses or matters are omitted, resulting in incomplete content of the document. For example, in a notarized contract, omitting the clause on liability for breach of contract may make the execution of the contract unsecured.

I. Timely remediation process after discovering errors

1. Contact the notary office immediately

Once an error is found in the notarized document, the notarial institution that issued the notarized document should be contacted immediately. The notary should be informed of the error in detail and relevant evidence or certification materials, such as original documents, identity certificates, etc. Timely communication can prevent the error from further expanding and affecting subsequent use.

2. Submit a correction request

Fill out the correction application form according to the requirements of the notary office. In the application, clearly state the specific content of the error, the cause of the error, and the correct information. At the same time, you may need to provide relevant supporting documents to prove the authenticity and legality of the correction content.

3. Cooperate with notary agencies to investigate and verify

The notarial agency will review and investigate the application. It may ask the party to provide more supporting documents or conduct an interview. The party should actively cooperate with the notarial agency and provide relevant information truthfully so that the notarial agency can complete the correction procedure as soon as possible.

4. Collect the corrected notarized document

After the notarial agency reviews and confirms, if the correction application is approved, the party concerned can collect the corrected notarized document at the agreed time and method. When collecting, the content of the document should be carefully checked to ensure that the error has been corrected.

III. Legal measures in different situations

1. Errors caused by the fault of the notarial agency

If the error in the notarized document is caused by the fault of the notarial agency, such as the negligence of the notary, illegal operation, etc., the parties have the right to require the notarial agency to bear the corresponding responsibility. They can ask the notarial agency to reissue the correct notarized document free of charge and compensate for the losses caused to the parties, such as economic losses, time costs, etc. If the two parties cannot resolve the issue through negotiation, they can file a lawsuit in court to protect their legitimate rights and interests.

2. Errors caused by the parties themselves

If the error is caused by inaccurate or incomplete information provided by the party, the party needs to bear certain responsibilities. In this case, although the notary office may assist in correcting the error, it may charge a certain fee. The party should actively cooperate with the notary office to complete the correction procedures to avoid causing greater trouble to themselves due to erroneous documents.

IV. Professional support from JZW’s legal team

The JZW Lawyers team has extensive experience and professional knowledge in dealing with errors in notarized documents and can provide you with the following assistance:

  • Professional consultation: We will provide you with a detailed analysis of errors in notarized documents and provide you with professional legal advice and solutions.
  • Assist in communication: Communicate and negotiate with the notary agency on your behalf to ensure that your rights and interests are fully protected.
  • Legal proceedings: If you need to resolve the issue through legal means, the JZW lawyer team will provide you with a full range of legal services, including drafting litigation documents, collecting evidence, and appearing in court as an agent.

Don’t panic if you encounter errors in the notarized documents. JZW’s legal team is here to help you solve your problems.

JZW Law has an experienced team of notary lawyers. They are fluent in both Chinese and English and provide professional legal services. We specialize in handling complex property division, corporate equity, trusts, overseas assets and other related issues. We provide free initial consultation services, and you are welcome to contact us for more information or to make an appointment for a consultation.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. If you need legal help, please consult a professional lawyer.