Jammu: In a move aimed at strengthening transparency and accountability in notarial services, the Government of Jammu & Kashmir has decided to launch an online notary portal and ordered the constitution of dedicated inspection teams to physically verify notaries across the Union Territory.
According to a circular issued by the Department of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, Directors of Litigation in Jammu & Kashmir have been directed to constitute inspection teams under the supervision of District Litigation Officers. These teams will conduct physical verification of notaries in their respective districts and collect all relevant data within one week to facilitate onboarding onto the proposed online notary portal.
The circular states that any discrepancies detected during the verification process will be reported to the department for appropriate action under the provisions of the Notaries Act, 1952 and the Notaries Rules, 1956. All notaries appointed by the J&K Government have been instructed to extend full cooperation to the inspection teams within the stipulated timeframe, failing which legal action may be initiated.
The proposed online notary portal will provide a single digital platform for registration and appointment of notaries, renewal of certificates of practice, and online submission of annual returns. The portal will also place notary-related information in the public domain, making it accessible to citizens round the clock. In addition, it will offer a mechanism for the public to register grievances related to notarial services.
The department reiterated that, as per existing rules, every notary is required to submit an annual return of notarial acts in the first week of January each year and apply for renewal of the certificate of practice online within the prescribed timelines.
What this means for Jammu & Kashmir
The introduction of an online notary portal marks an important step in digitising legal and quasi-judicial services in Jammu and Kashmir. For citizens, it is expected to bring greater transparency by allowing easy verification of authorised notaries, reducing the risk of fraud and impersonation in legal documentation.
For notaries, the system will streamline administrative processes such as registration, renewals and compliance filings, reducing paperwork and delays. The mandatory physical verification exercise will help the government update and authenticate its database, ensuring that only duly authorised notaries are operating in the Union Territory.
At the institutional level, the reform aligns with broader governance initiatives focused on e-governance, public accountability and ease of access to justice. By placing notary information in the public domain and enabling grievance redressal online, the government aims to improve trust in legal documentation and strengthen regulatory oversight across Jammu and Kashmir.
