General terms and conditions for online certifications

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1. The Notary Office

On January 9, 2018, the State Council of the Canton of Fribourg granted Me or Master Olivier Ferraz, holder of the Notary certificate of competence, a notary license.

Under the sole proprietorship Etude Ferraz, the notary office provides all notarial services in accordance with the Fribourg notarial law, its regulations, directives, and fee schedules.

2. Clients

All individuals or legal entities with Internet access, as well as the necessary technical means and knowledge to use the services offered, may use the online services provided by the Notary office.

By using the service, the client unreservedly accepts these general terms and conditions.

3. Online certification

The Notary office offers clients the possibility of conducting online certifications via videoconference, allowing the notarization of signatures and certified copies.

The service is entirely digital, and the procedure is automated. No correspondence or preparatory administrative meetings are involved in the use of the e-Notary services. Anyone unable to independently use the online service is invited to schedule an in-person appointment at the Notary Office.

4. Fees

The fee for online certification is set at CHF 60.00 (excluding VAT).

The fee is determined in accordance with:

  • the Notary fee schedule (RSF 261.16);
  • the fee schedule of the Notary association for ancillary operations (RSF 261.162).

The fee includes the following costs:

  • 1x signature notarization (CHF 25.00 excl. VAT per notarization, as per RSF 261.16); and/or
  • 1x certified copy (CHF 5.00 excl. VAT per page, as per RSF 261.16);
  • videoconference fees (CHF 250.00 excl. VAT/hour, as per RSF 261.162);
  • disbursements (as per RSF 261.162).

This fee covers one signature notarization and/or one certified copy. Any additional requests will incur supplementary charges as per the above-mentioned legal fee schedules.

5. Procedure

To fully and correctly utilize the online certification service, the client must strictly follow the procedure outlined below: 

  1. Select a date and time slot via the website.
  2. Complete their personal details on the website.
  3. Upload a complete and legible scan of a valid ID document either passport or front and back of an ID card via the website.
  4. Pay for the service online (via Twint or credit card).
  5. Download and print the form received by email after completing the online booking.
  6. Join the videoconference 2 (two) minutes before the scheduled time using the link provided in the booking confirmation email.
  7. During the videoconference, the Client will be asked to present their original ID, show the printed form, and sign the form.
  8. After the videoconference, the Client must send the original documents to be certified to the Notary Office (Etude Ferraz, Rue Saint-Pierre 8, PO Box 220, 1701 Fribourg) by mail, along with the address where the documents should be returned.

The client must ensure before the videoconference that they have the necessary access and functional equipment. They must have their original ID and the completed printed form at hand. 

The Client must join the videoconference 2 (two) minutes before the scheduled time and wait for up to 15 (fifteen) minutes from the scheduled time for the Notary office to admit them. 

6. Disclaimer and penalties

The Notary office accepts no liability for incorrect or improper use of the service by the client. 

In case of a delay, the Notary office will wait up to 5 (five) minutes from the scheduled time. Only the time displayed on the videoconference system is authoritative. Beyond this delay, the connection will be terminated, and the procedure closed without further action. 

The client is not entitled to ANY REFUND of the paid amount, which will be irrevocably retained by the Notary office as a penalty if:

  • The client does not join the videoconference within 5 (five) minutes of the scheduled time;
  • The client does not have the completed printed form and original ID during the videoconference;
  • The videoconference cannot be completed within 10 (ten) minutes due to any issue attributable to the Client (e.g., connectivity issues, technical problems, absence, incomplete or missing documents, invalid ID, gross incompetence, etc.);
  • The client cancels, reschedules, anticipates, or modifies the booking in any way;
  • The client fails to send all original documents to the Notary office by mail in a single dispatch, duly prepaid.

7. New requests

Any new request from the client, whether supplementary or additional, will result in a new online procedure and full billing. 

8. Postal dispatch

After the videoconference, the client must send the original documents to the Notary office by mail at their own expense. 

In case of insufficient postage or missing documents, the Notary office may disregard the client’s dispatch and close the procedure without notice. 

If the client does not specify a return address, the documents will be sent to the address indicated on the form. The documents will always be returned by standard post (A-Mail). The Notary office accepts no liability for postal damages. 

9. Document authentication

By using the online services offered by the Notary office, the client agrees to the processing of their personal data in accordance with the applicable procedure. 

The client specifically agrees to the use of videoconferencing software (ZOOM), including its recording and storage by the Notary Office. 

10. Personal data

Any claims concerning the online certification services must be submitted to the Notary office by registered mail. 

11. Complaints

The Office reserves the right to terminate an online certification at any time if the client fails to comply with the applicable procedure or basic rules of courtesy. 

The certification service via videoconference is not part of the notary’s ministerial duties. The Notary has the discretionary right to offer these services, modify them (procedure, fees, etc.), or discontinue them. Access to these services may also be denied to any person without justification or compensation. 

The use of e-notary services is not mandatory. By appointment, anyone is entitled to obtain certification in person at the Office, at the applicable legal fee. 

12. Modifications to the general terms and conditions

The Notary office reserves the right to review and adapt the general terms and conditions at any time. Changes take effect upon publication on the website. 

13. Jurisdiction and applicable law

The place of jurisdiction is Fribourg, and Swiss law is exclusively applicable. 

Fribourg, March 16, 2023