Justice Minister Yılmaz Tunç recently announced significant reforms aimed at enhancing notary services. In a groundbreaking move, he revealed that 40 new notary offices were established in 2024, marking a significant increase from the 1,231 offices in 2002 to 2,385 today. This momentous occasion was part of the unveiling of the 4th Judicial Reform Strategy Document, heralded as the hallmark of Turkey’s century. Minister Tunç emphasized the importance of notaries in upholding justice and legal security, highlighting their pivotal role in reducing legal disputes through the formalization of transactions. He outlined a vision to revamp the Notary Law to align with current societal needs, thereby boosting the efficacy of notaries across the nation.
Transforming Notary Services Through Digital Innovation
Under the strategic objective of “Strengthening Institutional Structure and Restructuring Processes” within the Judicial Reform Strategy Document, Minister Tunç elaborated on the ambitious goals set for notary services. One of the key reforms involves facilitating digitalization in notarial procedures, paving the way for expedited and reliable service delivery. By encouraging the digitization of notarial processes and promoting electronic transactions, the Minister aims to streamline services, ensuring swift and secure transactions for all citizens.
Minister Tunç also highlighted the introduction of a notary assistant institution, where law graduates would play a crucial role in the notarial system, further bolstering the legal landscape. As part of the proposed reforms, a range of new services would be introduced, including the opening of wills, appointment of heirs, determination of delivery locations, invitation to common residence, and evaluation of defective goods, among others. Moreover, to enhance legal certainty, certain contracts and transactions exceeding a specified threshold or possessing unique characteristics would require notarial approval. The implementation of an “Electronic Identity Verification System” in notary offices and the adoption of QR codes in notarial documents are set to further fortify legal security. Additionally, valuable documents and bank protests can now be conducted electronically through notaries, while the integration of the “National Vehicle Identification System” (NVIS) will enable notaries to annotate real estate sales promises directly in the land registry.
Empowering Notaries for the Future
Minister Tunç underscored the vital contribution of notaries to social harmony, emphasizing the pivotal role they play in fostering peace within communities. With the establishment of 40 new notaries in 2024, the government aims to elevate the notarial institution to new heights, making transactions more accessible and efficient for all citizens. Minister Tunç further illustrated the significant strides made in notarial services, citing the surge in notarization numbers from 1,231 in 2002 to 2,385 presently. He also shed light on the success of the on-call notary services, which have processed over 3.4 million transactions since April 6, 2019, catering to the needs of citizens unable to visit notaries during regular business hours. The innovative e-Notary system has further revolutionized notarial services, with 84,334 transactions completed electronically to date. Looking ahead, the Minister revealed that 26,726 notarial transactions were conducted online in 2024 alone, signaling a shift towards seamless digital service delivery.
In conclusion, the transformative reforms spearheaded by Minister Yılmaz Tunç are poised to revolutionize notary services in Turkey. By embracing digital innovation, enhancing legal processes, and empowering notaries with new capabilities, the government is paving the way for a more efficient, reliable, and accessible legal landscape for all citizens. As the notarial institution continues to evolve and adapt to changing societal needs, Minister Tunç’s vision for a more effective and responsive notary system is steadily coming to fruition.
