Notary in Iran: How to Complete Notarizations in Iran

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When international corporations or foreign in-house counsel or an Iranian expat face transactions in Iran, an often-overlooked step is the proper notarization and registration of documents in Iran. Understanding how to use a notary in Iran — i.e., how to achieve legally certified, registered documents in Iran, is critical to ensure enforceability, evidentiary strength, and smooth cross-border operations. This article explains what Iranian notaries do, walks through the step-by-step process, outlines typical timelines and delays, offers practical tips for foreign clients (including translations and powers of attorney), and provides a checklist of trusted resources.

1. What do notary offices in Iran do?

In Iran, the notary-public offices play a central role in document formalisation. These offices act as intermediaries between the government and various entities registering and regulating economic and service-related documents and contracts in accordance with law.

Legal definitions – formal vs informal documents

Under the Iranian civil-law framework, the distinction between formal documents and informal documents is significant. For example:

A formal document is one that has been registered in the registration bureau, or at a notary public office, or prepared by a public official.
Formal documents carry stronger evidentiary weight: in many cases, the burden shifts to the opponent to show invalidity, rather than the holder proving validity.

Thus, the role of the notary office in Iran is not merely witnessing signatures: it involves verifying identity, checking registration status of properties or rights, drafting contracts (especially in commercial/ economic transactions), and helping ensure that documents attain that “formal” status for maximum legal effect.

Why this matters for foreign clients

For foreign investors, cross-border contracts, or transactions involving Iranian counterparties, it means: if documents are only informal (not registered or notarised properly), then enforceability, property rights, or corporate safeguards may be weaker or subject to greater challenge in Iranian courts or regulatory processes. It is therefore wise to treat notarization in Iran as a key step in the workflow.

2. Step-by‐step process with documents required

Below is a typical process (bearing in mind variations may apply by region in Iran or type of document, e.g., power of attorney, property transaction, corporate contract).

Step 1: Prepare the document

Draft the document (contract, power of attorney, transfer deed, corporate resolution, etc.). It may be in Persian or bilingual; for foreign clients with limited Persian, it is prudent to attach a certified Persian translation.
Confirm whether the document must be executed in front of a notary public office or simply registered at a registration bureau.
Identify the parties and signing capacity (natural persons, corporate entities, foreign entities). Foreign entities may need to provide certified copies of incorporation, board resolutions, etc.

Step 2: Identity verification & supporting checks

The notary office will verify the identity of signatories and may obtain or check: ownership or title status (for property), encumbrance or lien status (for transfers), company bankruptcy or status verification (for corporate transactions).
For foreign signatories, a passport/copy and, if applicable, a notarised translation, apostille, or embassy legalisation may be required (see Section 4).
If a power of attorney is involved, ensure the person authorised in Iran is validly appointed and the POA meets Iranian law requirements (agent capacity, scope, duration, Persian translation if needed).

Step 3: Signing before the notary’s office & registration

The document is signed in the presence of the notary or the designated notary public official.
The notary affixes the official seal and signature, thereby converting or enabling conversion into a “formal document”.
The notary submits the document (and/or relevant extracts) for registration at the relevant Registration of Deeds & Properties Bureau (for immovables) or Company Registration Office (for corporate matters).
The document is then recorded in the official real-property or corporate registry, which enhances enforceability. The value in Iranian law of a registered/formal document is emphasised by law.

Step 4: Obtain copies / certified extracts

After registration, you receive the certified copy or extract from the register. This is the document you will use for third-party transactions, banks, foreign counterparties, or enforcement.
If the document is to be used abroad, consider translation and legalisation (see below).

Step 5: Use/enforce the document

Provide the document to counterparties (banks, governmental bodies, counterparties abroad) as required.
For enforcement in Iran, registered/formal documents allow you to bypass longer court proceedings and go straight to the enforcement office in certain cases.

3. Timeline & common delays

Typical timeline

Drafting the document: 1-3 days (depends on complexity, language, translation).
Identity/status checks by notary: 2-5 days (may be longer if foreign-entity data or title searches).
Signing & notarisation: 1 day (once parties are present).
Registration: may vary widely depending on locality and document type, from a few days to several weeks.
Obtaining a certified copy and a fully registered document: another few days to a week.

Common delays and how to mitigate them

Foreign-entity paperwork: If the signatory is a foreign company or person, obtaining certified copies of incorporation, board minutes, and authorisation can add time. To mitigate, prepare these in advance and check translation/legalisation requirements.
Title/encumbrance searches: Especially for real property, checking liens, mortgages, and restrictions can delay. Pre-check property status.
Translation issues: If Persian translation is required and not provided in advance, a delay will occur. Use a certified translator and have the translation reviewed.
Registration backlog: Some regional registries have high workloads, slowing registration. Factor in buffer time for complex transactions.
Discrepancies or corrections: If the document has drafting errors, misspelled names, or inaccurate titles, registration can be rejected or sent back for amendment. Ensure correctness before signing.
Foreign legalisation/embassy processes: If the document must be used abroad, the legalisation chain (consular authentication, translation, apostille-type steps) can add many weeks. Though Iran is not a Hague Apostille Convention country, so careful planning is required.

4. Practical tips for foreign clients

Translation & language

Although some documents may be in English, in practice, Iranian authorities and notary offices favour Persian versions or bilingual documents where Persian is included.
Use a certified Persian translation. The notary or registration office may require submission of the Persian version and may query the English if ambiguous.
For contracts involving Iranian counterparties, drafting in Persian (or dual-language) avoids misinterpretation.

Powers of Attorney (POA)

If the foreign client cannot be physically present in Iran, a POA is often utilised. Ensure the POA:
- clearly identifies the principal and agent, scope, duration, and line of authority
- is notarised in the home jurisdiction and legalised if required by the Iranian embassy or consulate.
- is translated into Persian (and verified if required)
- meets Iranian requirements for POA for property transactions or corporate acts (which may have additional local formalities)
The agent must present original POA, translation, and identification when executing in Iran.

Foreign-entity involvement

If a foreign corporation is involved (signing or acting in Iran), then you should prepare certified/incorporated documents (company certificate, board resolution authorising Iran act), translation, and ensure the Iranian notary office accepts foreign-entity documentation.
Pre-clear with your Iranian legal adviser which registrar or notary office is competent for that transaction type.

Use of an Iranian law firm (MJK approach)

At MJK Law Firm, we assist foreign clients by:

Drafting and reviewing bilingual versions of the documents (English & Persian) to ensure consistency and enforceability.
Coordinating the notary office, registration bureau, and translation service in Iran to minimise delays.
Running due diligence on titles, encumbrances, and corporate status, as part of the notarisation process.
Handling legalisation of documents for use abroad (where cross-border use is intended).
Preparing a road-map (timeline, checklist) for you so you know exactly what to submit, when, and what buffer to allow.

Common pitfalls to avoid

Relying on informal documents when formal documents are required: you lose evidentiary advantages.
Omitting the Persian translation or having a poor translation so the Iranian authority rejects or delays the document.
Not checking the property title or corporate status in advance causes registration rejection or costly corrections.
Underestimating registration/processing time and thus missing deadlines (e.g., closing, financing).
Assuming the home-country notarisation / apostille is sufficient without verifying Iranian local requirements (remember Iran is not a Hague-Apostille country).

5. Trusted resources & contact checklist

Here are recommended resources and a practical checklist you can use when engaging in notarisation in Iran.

Key resources

Iranian “Registration of Documents & Deeds” system and local registries (for property & real estate).
Notary-public offices in the relevant Iranian city (Tehran, Shiraz, Isfahan, etc).
Iranian Embassy/Consulate in your jurisdiction (for POA legalisation or foreign document authentication).
Certified translation agencies in Iran (for English ↔ Persian translation).
MJK Law Firm’s Iranian legal team (for drafting, coordination, registration).
Internal cross-border legal counsel (for aligning foreign-law issues, home-jurisdiction notarisation, corporate approvals).

Contact checklist (for your foreign-in-house counsel)

Establish your Iranian legal adviser and notary office contact ahead of time.
Confirm which Iranian notary office/regulator is competent for your transaction type.
Gather all signatories’ identity documents, corporate documentation (if any), and translations required.
Confirm translation requirements (is Persian required? bilingual allowed?).
Determine whether the document must be registered (turned into a formal document) or just notarised.
Map timeline: signing date, notary booking, registration, obtaining a certified copy, and cross-border use.
Budget for translation, notary fees, registration costs, and legalisation/embassy if needed.
Ask for “formal document” status vs. “informal document” distinction.
Keep a copy of the fully-certified document plus translation for your overseas counsel.

FAQ

Q1. Do foreign-party signatures need to be done in Iran?
A1. Not necessarily. A foreign party may sign their side abroad, using a power of attorney to appoint an agent in Iran to sign locally before the Iranian notary office. However, ensure the POA is properly notarised and legalised for Iranian use; your Iranian legal adviser should confirm acceptance by the specific notary office.

Q2. Is an apostille sufficient for documents issued abroad for use in Iran?
A2. No. Iran is not a member of the Hague Apostille Convention, so foreign-issued documents typically require authentication/legalisation through the issuing country’s foreign ministry, then the Iranian Embassy or Consulate.
Therefore, you must verify with your home jurisdiction and Iranian counterparty what chain of authentication is required.

Q3. What if the document is only in English and there is no Persian translation?
A3. While some Iranian counterparties may accept English, the safest practice is to have a Persian version or a bilingual version. Some notary offices/regulators may ask for a Persian translation or require the Persian text to prevail in case of dispute.
Ensuring a certified translation avoids rejection or later challenge.

Q4. What are the consequences of using an informal document (not registered) in Iran?
A4. An informal document is valid, but carries less protection: the burden of proof remains on the document-holder to show validity; the opponent may challenge signature or authenticity more easily. Formal documents (registered via notary/registry) carry stronger evidentiary weight and enforcement advantages.

Q5. What typical fees should a foreign client expect?
A5. Fees vary by region, type of document, translation requirements, agent/POA involvement, and registration bureau workload. Factor in: notary office fees, registration bureau fees, translation costs, POA legalisation abroad, travel if signatories must appear, and coordination by local legal counsel. MJK Law Firm can provide a detailed quote once we know the transaction type and region in Iran.

Call to Action

If your corporation or legal team is preparing operations, contracts, property transactions, or power-of-attorney arrangements in Iran, early engagement with local advisers is crucial. At MJK Law Firm, we specialise in guiding foreign clients through Iranian notarial and registration processes, ensuring your documents achieve formal status, meet local requirements and are structured to support enforceability. Contact our Iranian-law team today to map out your notarisation workflow, set registration timelines and avoid costly delays.