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'' FEDERALNEGARIT GAZETA
OF THEFEDERALDEMOCRA TIC REPUBLIC OF ETHJOPIA,
, ,
9111
Year No. 54
"tri~11 ,-ofcfl-rC !I§
Oh.off-A"f ~1..t-"C£ -\'fOht-ft.fC£ tT-fll\.h ADDIS ABABA-8tb May, 2003.
"-\h "OCI "'I.f1l1 @ +1 !i'f2?1' f ih1f-fl "'lDt}f-T 9'11C o.of mCl4:~offmtl)

0?~fi5J., CONTENTS
,
,
,

"cp~, cfl'1'C ~fcl)§/!;Uj~

"

,.9" Proclamation No. 334/2003

; Authentication and Registration of
fit.,P.~4fJl!J1-rt; 9"mCl "'P~ .;. 1W litif<:'1
Document
t: ,Proclamtion Page 2172
... f

PROCLAMATION NO. 33412003

"'P~ cfl'1'Crf@i/lifj~, ; , .

~.,~~-."7l;J1';f,t; 9"1I1C1t'lDnJ,"'P~
"
PROCLAMATION TO PROVIDE FOR THE
AUTHENTICATION AND REGISTRATION
fit~1.- "7l.:J1'1' ",t- ~9"~of f"7!IJAOof "711~){f"7.fit OFDOCUMENTS "

1~t;",,1Ct; 0'''9'' ,,+~ ~:( O"'PJTt;O.(-~~T oot}h~,
f"7.1.l1'- fm-~t; fi,~T ""~~"'T'
fit~P.,T 9"1I1g ",t- it~P.T 9",iH.9" It.cLl\,.
~'~1~ ~it.,.,.,"7~ "'~:r f"7..(.'1'Cooo.,~ i
, ,fit~P.T "71..:J1'1't;9"1I1C1",t- O""t-f: m-"'1' O~C.(-
o."'Tt;' 0 fi,it-T9"f oiJ,..,,,,:,. 00'" tfo."'T ~9"'(-' 00lPl of'
O"7.(-l.., ft.t)~~ fcfof 0001l'~'i ffU}'} ",t- .,...,Clt-oft;
p..t-m-1 f"tJ'ht;'~~ "'*"7of, "'~nJ,r; .,...,ClC f"7.OJit'
",1.- lD-r f~1..t-~ ih.., Cll\OOc:'~f
fit~P.T "7l.:J1'1't; 9"1I1C1",t- 000" ""t-f: ,,.cL2\"7.~+
O"7.c:'lm- ",1.- lD'1' f~I.t-1A ih.., Oooot- OH.-)T oo"'h~
fOY.ht;lD~ f,..,.(-t;, A,tr-T19" fh.f1c:'''7. ""~~"'T 0"7""
"m~ l1.(- h~.,.2j= hll.,.'PWt. fl\m- 0~1f.~ f
f it ~P. T "7l.:J1'1't;
.,...,ClCt; ~"4.~of Oih.., ooOJit, ,"itcL"1. ooo.,~ f
0h.off-k1 ~1..t-"C£ JlifOht-ft.1C£ tT-nl\.h
00''''''':'- ",+;t 9~(i)"OolPloffm.1J
, f"7.h.,.l\m-
fDjJoo;F"f
' involved in the provision of notarial services; ,
9"111 CI ", t- f"7.fht;
WHEREAS, Authentication of documents provide a
Ooo(J'~ f
reliable means of evidence and thus facilitate contractUaland
other relations between persons and organizations both at the
domestic and intemationallevels~
WHEREAS, registration of documents'ensures the
availability of documents whenever they are required;
WHEREAS" the functions of authentication and regis-
tration of documents have been canied out in the country by
courts and other public offices based on practi~and that there
was no relevant Federal legislation which determines the
scope of the work and the powers and duties of organs
WHEREAS,applying uniform Jeder~> legislation on
'authontication and registration of documents through out the
country have positive impact on.the'flixibility of the Trade
and other business relations between the citizens.
WHEREAS, it is necessary to define by law the powers
OJ~ .,.!t"7of, and duties of institutions that carry out the functions of
authentication and registration of documents;
NOW, THEREFORE. in accordance with Article 55(1)
ih1- of the Constitution of the Federal Democratic Republic of
Ethiopia, it is hereby proclaimed as follows:
:rm-~~ II ,
'

'!'"
h~~ 1 PART 1
111""""1:' .:J1."T General
-"'~' \ 1. Short Title
I' ,,~C CiJit
This Proclamation may be cited as the "Authentication
,,~IJ ~'P~,"~,it~P.TOYl.:J1'1't; 9"1I1C1<"'P~ and Registration of , Documents' Proclamation
,
cfl'1'Cr~~§/!ifj~" .,.-otr- l\.m+h ~T"~ II No: 334/2003."
2. Definitions
I- ,
ofc~'" In this Proclamatro~ unless ;thecontext requires
f ~k "..,,-0 fi," ,ofC1'-9"f"7.fc"tmm-t}~If~ O+C OttlJ otherwise:
"'P~fD-l\1' f ,
,
\' .
~;Jt"" ;m.tIJ ;r..,.cft. ititli
n~ .,:: 3.40
. Negarit G.P.O.'Box 80,001
VOltPnce
\
 , to .
,It I1r.II,r U-t-A. ~;J~+ ;Ju,1IJ 4I1'c!li "7J1I1 cJ)+') IIfII",,,, PcC*a1 Negarit Gazeta - No.54 8" May, 2003-Page 2173

i' ".U~ OYI.,;J1'1'''OYl\T ".Ilia .U~ O"U,;J)t:' tIJ~r
.,.,cs" OO?OPl\h.,.m- {}m- i't.LI.,.. 07,':(w9 """lid)o'
OPu.oo-"} OOYI.,;J1'1'O{}~.c;.,,~ OPLl.r'i-t).,.,.
OY~I.": m~'" "ia+~'I" O.,.LI.OP {}~~ ~~ r~~~
d.COY"}'i m~'" OY"'''''''"} 0:J'l\ OP"'''
1) ~;toauthenticate a document" means to witness the
slgning of a new document by the person who has
prepared such document or the person it concern
'and, after ascertaining that this formality is fulfilled,
m~' . to sign and affix a seal on the document, or to sign
i

O'ioo-'i d.COY'i m~'" 117..,.,.,.. OThhA OPII')'"} and affix a seal on an already signed document by
OOYI.,;J1... O{}~.c;.,,~ OPLI.'r'i 117""'''' fOY~I." ascertaining its authenticity through an affidavit or
.
. specimen signature and/or seal;
).~I!.
"
.~{}.,.~, OYATOYIj¥aJ.'" m-A f ).tfn. f fm-hA'i\ ;.2) "Doc~nt" means a contr'ift, wilb'. power of
I'
rl\tlJ1 ~h~ {}~'~ i h""}~ ~*
m~'\"':*'f: attorney,..dotument tr~slated from ~"language
~m.c;:"f"} l\~.f.C1'" U~ O.,.{}'~m- {}m-' 'f"'''' into another by a licensee. tianslJor,: &py of a
t;1"J'fm.~ fif~)'(- :":( m~r "AI}"l" : foiMo~T' '
document, ~morandufh or articl~s of ~sociation.
j',

/' OPODP'Z;JC~~~ iD~r otJrf-P.1.&f1.1-0 f "'l\',.q~ . mi'nutesor any written matter submitted for authen-
~' "

/
m~'" OY'iTm-,.. fill" "'P~ OIJIP4!TP\"}.Il1.,;J1'1''i \icatiqnand ~egistration; .
~"}.IlOPU1-of+I.O ~m.lj: ~m- II 3) "to register a document" means to register and
r.. "{}~.(-, OPOP"1-o" OYl\T ""}~ f.,.I.,;J1m {}~~"} authenticated docume~t by marking it, with an
l\lLV- o",u,;J:l OP"1-o OP41 ck'l'C OOPiamT OPoP1J identification number,'in'a regis~r preparCd for the
. purpose and to de~it the same. docu~nt, qr to
1-Q'i ",iatOP'I' f m~'r Oih." OPIPI.T O{}~~
"1.;J.;JIif!'I}l\rAtlJ1 register and deposit' a document which is, required
~"}.Il+OP'I' ,.,.ql\ {}~~"}.
"-+-01\- OPoP"1-o'i OYia+OP'I'~m- II 'by law to be deposited with a notary;
9.' "{}m-" OYl\T f"'L"'~ 4) "Person" meamj\a"physicalor legal person;
ilm- m~'" Oih" f{}m-~T
OP-oT f"'{}mm- ~C~T ~m- II 5) "Notary" means the Federal Notary Office or an
.
{} .t;- ~ I.,;J ,;J"l"" 1171\ T {}~~ l\ 1171.,;J1 'I' 0" ,,1} 0-
employee of the office or of any of tI1O$einstitutions
?i" " ~
rAtIJ"} f"'{}mm- f{}~.t'OYI.,;J1~'i "'''11} ~ihLT mentioned under Aqicle 26,.duly. awporized to
o.TIPt-"'~ m~'" OlL" "'P~ ""}+~ h"'m n
authentication documents;
+ ,.,. OPr&1 o..,."f fOY'iTm-,.. OPr&1 o.T 6) "City Government" means either the City Govern-
1Pt-"'~ ~ II . ment of Addis Ababa or thec, City Council of .
Dire
i" "fh-t""l OOia"'~'(-C" m~r "fhTO? OPia.,.,cs.(-C Dawa, as the case may be;
f"hC 0.+" OYl\""~"}1.V-).;l"m-f".Ilia "01} hTO? 3. Scope of Application
otJia+"U~-C(l1"lJ"rhCo.T. m~r f.(-tA'P hTO? This Proclamation shall apply to documents authenticted
OPia.,..,.(-C
m~r rhe o.T ~m-II and registered'by:
.
~. f"'L~1.~T mil") . 1) .' organs of the RegioMl Government authorized by
""., "..~ I .
respective Regional laws.
Oh~~ OPia"'.4~c""f 1-""} "'P~. l\",IIUr 2) organs of the Addis Ababa; ~dDire Dawa City
i'
rAtlJ1 O"'AtlJT."""T f Governments authorize,dunder this Proclamati6n;
. O~.fJ.hMI}'iO~tA'rh"''I''"f OlL" "'P~ rAtIJ"}
,
3) the Mipistry of Fo~ei~nJ\ff'airs,Ethiopian ~p1bas-
I"
i ' siesand ConsularOffice; ,
'O"'iltIJTm-"""~
.
j:' O~ 1-JI~ ."ttll-f:C i Om-"l" ""C Ol\.Tf"kl 4) Commanders of divisions of the deferice force; and
'. G

O?f1.,.cr"f f . . 5) heads of federal prisOJ:ts.

9." flOPhtthllPt-f£+ ,h~A n:IfD"f ~9
OJ.I.t-A OYI."t1 {}..,.:y- 00?1.,;J1m-'i' O"!,r'U Part2.
?i'
10- ,UP'T ""LK"t tAr'iA" . NOTARIAL Aci1VITIES AND
"" .
DUT1ES OF THE NOTAR Y
'h~1
f{}~~ "7l.;J,;J'""'''I}t-.'K" 4: NotarialActivities ,
'.

f).(.,;J.,Q,)J,,~"'f Notarial activities include the follo~ing: .

1) to ~uthenticate and register docu~entS;'.'

9." f{}~~ "'I1.,;J1#f"., ,Qt--1-
f{}~'(- "'I1.,;J1... "'''I}~''''' f1.h.,.I\-T"} Im:J'~"A II 2) to verify copies of documents against their originals
{}~P."f"} OYI.,;J1~' tllJou"1-o i and register same; ,

i"
I: f{}~'(' :":(,.:f1 h'P'iCD-,;JC O"'IOPlthC +hhl\~~~
T(J)o"} "'I1.,;J1'1'9 OItOD1f1-o I
i:" :J'l\ 00"'''9 n:J'l\ 00"''' 'f"tAm- "'I1.,;J1..,."f"}
00+OA9 0000"1-0 i
i" 1}I\14Sf"'f 1\.111,.-11 ~"}J;"'Le\"I.~oJ;fd.C"'l~9Im~'r
M..,.,.r 'ioo-'i 001" i
?i" l\ODI.,;J1TO"t+co- {}~P."f,,~ f"tLCOO- m~r
f LI.-- il9''f1 "fl\-;l" i OP-O+'irAtIJ"} "'I1.,;J1'1'i
. Af!"I.,;J1... f"totCo- (}~P."f1 ih,;Jf£~+ "'I1.,;J1'1' I
3) to administer oath and receive affidavits and register
same;
4) to keep custody.of specime~ of signatures and/ or
seal upon request by those concerned;
5) to ascertain the capacity, right and authority of
persons who are abOutto sign or who have signed
documents submitted for authentication;',
6) to ascertain the legality of documents sUbmi~ for
authentication; I ' , "

i"
,,,. liI".lif(tii @+1 Iilrj~ '}.9". Federal Negarit Gazeta - No. 54 glbMay, 2003-Page 2174
IJ.601A ~.?t'1' .?IJ.1fJ ~1'C ~ii "t1111

'j,. 0 ih.., f 11t\ 0."" ~..,. "'I t.;J 16IiJ.f"'l. (}'P 11TfD-'} '}-f1t..,."f 7) to ascertain with respect to contracts made to transfer
t\ "'I it.,. 1\t\,,: 0 "'I."t. 1- fD-ftol' :
properties for which title certificates are issued under
v) f'}-f1t."" hit'''I\I\~.fD-'} I1t\OD-f1""~"": "hc,'
the law:
(a) the right of the transferor to transfer the
t\) '}011t..,: OODI""~"" IA"'(}m CD~9" O,,:C.(' 0.""
property; and
:"{)tJ1I IA:1'11, ODIf~,} "'It.;J1'P :
(b) that the property is not Mortgaged or pledged or
~- itt\.,'t.;J1fflolj itt\+tID"10' (}~Jl.1' P'AlIJ') 11t\fD-
that such property is not attached by a court
CD" ,}9" h.., 11-f1 11t\fD- h \1A f'1.mf:" "'Iitt.:cr ODitm"":
order.
D- I\.t\-':(, ,"OD""" "'..,I1t-""'} IhljfD-IjA II 8) to provide information upon request by authoratative
ft- ODt.;J1'P1j OD0D1I1-f11t\I1TfD- (}~,,"f or approprate organ about authenticated and regis-
i- f"'l.h"'''''''' (}~Jl.T OtLtJ ih.., ODIPt."" \1A.,'t.;J1fflolj tered documents.
\1A,"OD"10- ih;J'C fD-m."" h,.tj t-TfD-9" II 9) other simaliar activities.
v) h.., 11-f1 11t\CD- ih.., ODIP t.
..,. OD t.;J1 'P1j
5. Documents that Must be Authenticated and Registered
OD0D1I10111t\I1TCD- (}~,,"f : 1) The following documents shall not have legal
t\) ffD-hAC,' P'AlIJ'} ODit6IiJ. (}~,,':(, : effect unless they are authenticated and registered:
th) f'}"',('C,' I\.fto':(, "'11 0 t-:" ODODP't.:F (a) documents that must be authenticated and
"th.c:."flj: OD.,.~"tl .(-'}(l':(' "hlj "'I7f7fI?' registered in accordance with the appropriate
:FTCD- : law;
(b) power of attorney;
I- htLtJ 01\" h"'ODt\hi:"" (}~',"f fD-'T' I\.t\-"f (}~Jl."f
(c) memorandum and articles of association of
"h,}-'l t.;J 1 fflol\TfD-1j "h') -'lOD"1 0-1\TfD- 11t\,.~ \"'"f
business organizations, statutes of associations,
f'1.m"ck (}~.(' ht.;J1aJ: "h~tLtJ') (}~,,"f 1t.;J..,lIJA :
,e.OD"..,I1A II
and amendments thereof.
2) The Notary shall authenticate and register
}- hAhl\ documents other than those mention~d above, if
i- h,}'(' (}~.(' ht.;J;JIi11'i requested by the concerned parties.
v) ft-"",}: fl1t\o.i:,} : fml\j(:t:'} m,e.9" f"'CDI\
..,. 6. Prohibition
j(:t:'} : f CD'}'('9" CD1-9" f"h tJ i:,) i f"'l. it 1) A notary shall not authenticate:
, CD"9" fl1A CDI\j("f'}1j "h,}-'lv-9" f"'l,it"" m,e.9" (a) his own documents and those of his relatives by
fl1A CD'}'('9" "htJ""') (}~.(' : consanguinity or affinity up to the second
t\) CDh.A CD"9" "h,}1,t-f1. flf~t\""'} (}fD-(}~.(' degree;
t-""
"'It.;J1'P h,e."fA9" II (b) the document of a person for whom the notary is
I- OtLtJ h'}+" '}o-it h'}+" (i) f"'ODt\h"'fD- v-~;J' acting as agent or representative;
f'1.1;J'P'/" (}~~ 01\.1\ (}~.(' ht.;J;J'T' ,.t.;J1l1JA II 2) in the case of Article (1) the document shall be
f.- "h,}-'lv-9" Oih.., "h'}-'l ".t'" f"'mfck v-~;J'9'':(' authenticated by another notary
\1A'"''.7.''' (}~.(' ht.;J;JaJ: (}~.(' f"'lt.;J1'P h1A 3) The notary shall not give any notarial service unless
..,t\-:" h,.(}'P9" II the requirements ofthe law are satisfied;
'j,- ho.i:;J' f"'l:"t.-f1 OD-f1:"
7. Right to Petition
h,}'(' (}~.(' ht.;J;JIi11' OtLtJ ih.., ODIPt."" ODitm"" 1) Any aggrieved person may submit a petition to the
i-
superior organ of the notary within 15 days where
1t\0""') h1A..,t\-"" n.ht\hA CD"9" ih1-'} OOD"'I\t\,,:
h1A..,I\-"" n.(}1' "'I'}~CD-9" :"~;J' 1t\fD- (}fD-f(}~'(-
the notary refuses to give service that he must under
ht.;J;JQ;)I fOl\,. t\1f~CD- h\1A on; +') fD-it'P
the law, or gives service in violation of the law;
2) Where the person who has submitted a petition
hf1.i:;J' iLl+C-f1 ,."fl\A II
under Sub-Article (1) of this Article is not satisfied
I- 11t\ .,.~, OtLtJ h'}+" '}o-it h'}+" (i) ODIPt."" with the decision rendered or where no decision is
O"'(}mCD- CD-"'~ :"~;J' \1t\fD-CD"9" ho.i:;J'fD- rendered within 30 days from the date of submis-
h + t.0t\ ..,. +'} 1.9"t: 0 c!J I(}1\"I +'} fD-it 'P fD-" ~ sion of the petition he may bring an action in a court
\11\11 t\tj:C.(' 0."" hit "'I:"t.-f1 "':('I\A II of law.
~- foo.,.110C ..,1..;J' 8. Duty to Cooperate
h,}1..' (}~.(' ht.;J;J1if!" t\Ft-fD- hit~I\1_:flf~ (}~.(' CD,e.9" Any person required by a notary to give a document or
oot.~ f'1.m":" i "'I1~CD-" (}CD- f "'mf+CD-') (}~.(' m,e.9" information necessary for the notary's activities shall
cooperate by producing the required document or by
tlDt.:cr Oooitm"" CD"" 0"'l:"t.011 oo.,.110C ht\O"" II providing the required information.
u- "'I.itm.C foomO:" ..,1..;J' 9. Duty of Secrecy
"'I'}~CD-" (}~" ht.;J;J1if!" i A notary shall:
Otj:C.(- 0."" CD"" Oih.., P'AlIJ') O"'(}mfD- h\1A
1) not give to third party information, which comes
i- into his possession in the course of performing his
\1A:1'"" o+C 0P't-fD- h;JlIJ"'I. O"h:( f111fD-'} oot.:cr duties unless ordered by a court or by a body
t\t\.1\ f.~ CD1'}h"Ac:. h,.(}'P" II empowered by law.
I- 0P't-CD- h;JlIJ"t ICD+CD-'}~1C o,.itm.C ,e.,.tJA II
2) keep secret anything which he happens to know in
the course of performing his duties.
h":A f. PART 3
(}~.(- f"'l t.;J1'P P'C~""
PBOCEDURE OF AUTHENTICATION
(}~.(- itt\ "'I t.;J 11'
! . h-'lit 10. Authentication of a New Document
(}~I.' ht.;J;J~ h,) I.' (}~.(- "h'}-'It.;J;J'P f'1.+C-f1t\""i 1) Where a new document is submitted for authen-
i-
(}~~ ') t\oo~t." f+t.OCD- (}fD- itao-Ij h.(-t-7ffD-
tication, the notary shall authenticate the document.
after having ascertained by means of evidence that
O(}~~ (}CD- oolf~,) O"'litt.:cr I

1\" f"'m+(}CD- the name address of the person who is about to sign
hoo"ht: cU~ '} 1t.;J..,lIJA II the document is the same as the name and address i

on the document;
 ! ~

,.,... SohMay. 2003-Page 2175

"K' Mjf.iir~~ Uo.6-1\ ~:Jt.}. ;.IILII) <IITC9~ "".,f1" ~j +') Ijj.rj~ Federal Negarit Gazeta - No. 54

~, {t~1.' hl..?.?~ {t~1.' fl.ll..?"'T : h..,I1-o 11"TW' 2) The notary shall comply with the provision of the
ih1:f f'NJ.~11(1}<'} IIDh.,'A hAil"" II relevant law when he authenticates a document.
11. Documents Already Signed
Hi' hil+1.''l'' ilA.f'Ll.tJOc{t~f.~' 1) Where a document which is already signed is
j!. {t~1.'hl..?.?~ hil+Y:'l" f.,.Ll.IID {t~Y: h'}Jll..?1T
submitted for authentication the notary shall
fl.+C-oA"" 11{t~~ "f, f{tLl.(I}< kCI17 {t~~ '}
=-
authenticate such document by ascertaining that the
hil+ 1.''l'' f Ll.IID(I}< 1'1(1}<
~.CI17 IIDIf~,} OJf,9" 11{t~~ signature on the document is that of the person who
"f, fl17.11(1}< 117..,.,.9" ""tltlA~(I}< 117..,.,.9" IIDI1'~,} has signed it or that the seal on the document is
1 l..?..,fflA ::
genume.
f+l.I1(1}< {t~Y: 111\." {t~1.' hl..?.?6f!- f.,.l..?.?m hl1'~ 2) Where the document submitted for authentication
I{'
is already authenticated by another notary, the
11{t~~ "f, fD?11(1}< kCI17Cj 117..,.,.9" f.,.I11\(I}<{t~Y:
notary shall authenticate the document by verifying
hl..?.?6f!- keD?Cj 117..,.,.9" IIDI1'~,} 1l..?..,fflA:: that the signature and seal on the document is the
II{' hA{t~Y: "'AI16f!- OJf,9" 11"( signature and seal of the said notary.
j!. fh'}1.' {t~Y: "'AI16f!- OJf,9" 11"( h'}Jll.'?1T fl.+C 12. Copies of Documents
-01\"" : {t~Y: hl..?.?~ OJf,9" fl1"(1}< f,U"" hCPCj(l}<
1) Where a copy of a document is submitted for
authentication, the notary shall authenticate the
{t~1.' f,U"" .?C h'}JllJc9" l1"'AI1~ OJf,9" 1111"(1}<
document by ascertianing that the contents of the
"f, 11\(1}<keD? tDf,9" 117..,.,.9" I1CPCj(l}<
{t~Y: "f, copy are the same as those of the original document
111\(1}<kCI17Cj OJf,9" 117..,.,.9" .?C h,}Y: f}f,~"" and that the signature and/or seal on the copy is the
IIDI1'~,} 1111711DI&hc
{t~~ '} 1l..?..,fflA :: same as the signature and/or seal on the original
I{' I1ttO h'}+". '}o-h h'}+". (li) IIDIPl."" f.,.l..?1m document;
2) A copy of a document authenticated under Sub-
fh'}1.' {t~Y: "'AI16f!- fCPCj(l}<'} {t~Y: lOA fl17hl.jf~""
Article (1) of this Article shall have the same
CP.?f,'i l.CPA ::
probatory value as that of the original document.
Ii:' f{t~f.:f'} ih.?ce~"" hl\I17l..?1T 13. Ascertaining the Legality of Documents
li' {t~Y: hl..?.?~ {t~1.' hl17l.'?1m-Cj hllDlID1f1f1cIlk"" 1) A notary shall, before authenticating and regis-
f{t~~ f,U"" ih"''}Cj IIDAI19" ml1f,'} fl17f.:1>l.'} tering a document, ascertain that its contents are not
IIDI1'~,} 117l..?1T hl\I1"" :: illegal or immoral;
2) Apart from ascertaining it's legality, a notary shall
I{' {t~Y: hl..?.?~ fh'}Y:'} {t~Y: ih.?ce~"" hl17l..?1'1'
not have power to change or cause to be changed
hAc:. f{t~~ '} f,U"" fllDI\OJ'I' OJf,9" fl17hl\OJ'I' the contents of a document submitted for authen-
P'AffI'} fl\(I}<9" :: tication.
Ii' f{t~Y: L&-lI7.sP:f'} :f1\-:rCj P'AffI'} hl\I17l..?1'1' 14. Ascertaing the Capacity and Authority of
{t~Y: hl..?.?~ h,}Y:,} {t~Y: hl17l..?1m- 11~."" Signatories of a Document
li'
f L&-II7.(I}<'} f lIDLl.9" IID-o"" OJf,9" P' A ffI'}
1) The notary shall, before authenticating a document,
make shure that the person who has signed or is
117l..?1'1' hl\O""::
about to sign the document has the right or
I{' h,}~: {t~Y: L&-I17. f ih.., :fl\-:r 11\(1}< IIDI1'~
authority to sign it;
hm &-ffl& fl.1f'} 1'1~Y: hl..?.? ~ f L&-II7.(I}<'}f ih.., 2) Where it is doubtful that the person who has signed
:fl\-:r "'10. 1111D{tl\(I}< IID'}1Y: 117ff1&-""f,:f"A II or is about to sign a document has capacity to do so
fh'}}S'}.r.' '}-I1l..,.:f'}Cj fl11\,}-I1l.-I:'} lJc~:r hl\I17l..?1'1' the notary shall make the necessary investigation in
I~'
ih.., filA 11.""~"" IID-I1..,. 117l.'? 1651 fll7.{t'l' 11T(I}<'} a way he thinks proper to find out whether or not the
° signatory has capacity to sign.
'}-I1l..,.:f l\l17h"'''I\tt: fIl7.U.?~ {t~p.:f hllDl..?1ff1T(I}<
15. Ascertaining the Ownership and Other
Ok"" {t~Y: hl.'?'?"" =- i' Conditions of Certain Properties
li' '} -11l."" h h.,." "k(l}< h .., 11-11 111\(I)< ih.., lID IP l. ..,. Before authenticating documents relating to the transfer
fl11\I1.""~"" 117l..?1651{t~Y: 11\OJ. IIDI1'~,} i of properties for which title certificates are issued under
I{' ,}-I1~-I: ° lID'''''~'''' lA.,.{tm OJf,9" Ott:CY: 11."" the law, the notary shall ascertain that: .

1) the transferor of the property has title certificate for

lA:r11. IIDIf~,} :
the property in accordance with the relevant law;
{t~~ '} fIl7.Ll.IID(I}< 1'1(1}<{t~~ '} I\IIDLl.9" h(l}<A
f.' 2) the property is not mortgaged or pledged or is not
tDf,9" hih.., fllD~Q;}. P'AffI'} 11\(1}< IIDI1'~,} attached by a court order;
117l..?1'1' hl\O"" II 3) the person who has signed or is about to sign the
II' :1>l\ lID"''' hl\IID+OACj f9"htiC :1>A hl\lIDhl17"" document has the right or authority, legal or
~..,. contractual, to sign the document.
Ii' h '}Y: (a(I)< f J\ ') Y:,} 1'1"Y: f,U"" ..,.tI tll\ ~ °
1'1 ~.(-
16. Administration of Oath and Hearing of Witnesses
hl.'?'?"" k"" +C(1 0:1>1\ lID"''' 117l..?1'1' f,'f"A II
1) A person may declare the truth of the contents of a
(a~.r.' J\l..?.?QJ;I}" f.,.I11\(I}< (a(l)< Ok"" +C(1 :1>I\-,} document.under oath before a notary. In such a case
hllDhm-l: Ok"" :1>1\ lID"''' IIDLOtJOc'} O{t~~ "f, the notary shall state on the document that the said
f,1A"A II person has been sworn by him before he made the
I{' J\,}'(- {t~.(- J\l..?.?~ Ott:C.(- 11."" fl.:rU1f fh,}'(-,} declaration;
(a(l)<f9"htlC~"" :1>Af,+O"A II 2) A notary shall take the testimony of a witness
where he is ordered by a court;
f.' 1'1",(- J\l..?.?"" OttO h'}+". '}o-h h,}+~ (~ 3) Where the notary takes the testimony of a witness
IIDIP l."" f9"h tiC""" :1>A 0117.+OAO"" 1.tf. 9" htl~ under Sub-Article (2) of this Article, he shall state
:1>I\-') f {tm(l}< 0111 U ~ IIDIf~ '} f9" h tiC""" :1>I\- on the document that the witness give his testimony
O{tLl.O"" (a".(- "f, 1A~ f,LC9"O:rA 117..,.,.tJOc'}9" in his free will. The notary shall also sign the
II document and affix his seal thereon.
'''''9''O:rA
 t!) +") litX1?; '}.~.
goh
Federal Negarit Gazeta - No. 54 May, 2003-Page 2176
!(1I""1iJ~ IJ.t-/:\ ~:Jt.1" ;IlL'" 4I'I'C:li! "7J1/'
"""

I%" 'JOl.A ()~,.~.') 1lf\"7";J~:" 17. Drawing up Model Documents

Ii" {)~1.' hl;J;Ja.1J OlltJ h'P~ h'}+?\ ~ f\"'oPf\hi::'-lJ'
1) The notary may draw up model documents for
h,}l.hllL"1.~i: f\f\.f\"~' ()~,."f9" 'JOl.A "7";J~:" those documents specified under Article 5 of this
~~'''A II Proclamation and for such other documents as may
J." {)~1.' hl;J;Ja.1J 11";J~OJ- 'JOl.A {)~1.' f\oPm+9" be necessary;
f"7.LA'" {)OJ- OlltJ h'P~ oPlPl:'- O"7.lDlIJ I:HI 2) Any person who desires to use a model document
f"7.tD()~OJ-'} 'P;J OoPtlLA 'JOl.A ()~~ '} "7..,,:,- drawn up by the notary may get a copy thereof by
~~'''A II paying the price prescribed by regulations issued
It" ()~P."f') 1lf\oPoP1I11llJ' llf\"7ll+oP1' pursuant to this Proclamation.
Ii" {)~1.' hl;J;Ja.1J f"7.!l;J",IIJTOJ-'} ()~P."f ~oP" 18. Registration and Deposit of Documents
",I1A II f\h1').';'}~ {)~1.' h'}1.' "'AI16£b OR"ihL:'- 1) The notary shall register all documents which he
0.1: 11l+9"IIJA :I authenticates and deposits a copy for each
J." h'}1.' {)~1.' O()~1.' hl;J;J6£b h~ h'}Jt+oP1' Oih", document in his office;
f"'1.~11 hln {)~1.' hl;J;Ja.1J h'}JttJ 1f\OJ- {)~1.' 2) Where the law provides for the deposit of a
().+Cllf\:'- .,.+llf\o ~oP""'I1A i 11l+9"IIJA II
document with a notary, the notary shall register
and deposit such document upon its submission;
;:" {)~1.' hl;J;Ja.1J Oh:( f"7.1~ h'}1.' f()~1.' "'AI16£b 3) Upon request by an interested person to get a copy
lD~9" h'}1.' {)~1.' Oh:( llf\oP'i~ ,..';, O"7.oPf\ of information about a document in the hands of the
h.,.OJ- {)OJ-"7lll)f ().m~:" i "'1o.OJ-') tI~1 0"71l notary, the notary shall give the requested copy or
hLA ",AI1a.1J'} lD~9" "7lll)fOJ-'} ~{)IIJA II information upon receipt of the appropriate charge.
tI~A §
llf\()~1.' "7l;J11iliJ.lJ'9"11111 PART 4
R'ihL:'- o..,."f NOTARY OFFICES
'}O-ll tI~A h'}1.' Section one
ftlAA f()~1.' "7l;J11iliJ.lJ'9"11111 ?\ihL:'- 0.:'- Regio Notary Offices
Iii" h1.l)f~:'- Organization 19.
~tJ,} h'P~
Ii" ftlAA oPll"'.';1.'~"f f"7.11lL?\go.
1) To implement this proclamation Regional Adminis-
f()~1.' "7l;J11iliJ.lJ'9"111111\.11.&-:( ~"f"1\- II
.,.Q;1,I16£b V-).;J-
trations may organize notary offices.
I" 1IC1I~'} h'}1.fht)l1o.1TOJ-
2) They may issue details based on the facts of their
0&-1't:fOJ-~tDlllJ'1\- II
respective area.
'}o-ll tI~A v-f\:'-
Section two
fhJtll hOI1lJ' f1.'~.';'P f()~1.""7l;J18j.lJ' 9"11111R'ihL:'- 0.:'-
Addis Ababa and Dire Dawa notary offices;
1)" fR'ihL:'- 0.1: oP9l9l9"
20. Establishment of the Federal Notary Office
Ii" fhJtll hOI1lJ' 1.'~.';'P h"''JO"f h1'}.';'}.';TOJ- h'}1.' 1) Addis Ababa and Dire Dawa cities have notary
R'ihL:'- 0.:'- ~'i&-:f'PA II
office each.
I" f4..l.&-1\- f()~1.' "7l;J11'lJ' 9"11111 JP&- OhJlll 2) The Federal Authenatication and Registrations
hOI1lJ' 01.'~'P O"7.9l9lgo.:'- R'ihL:'- o..,."f ~hlJ'
lDlJ'A II
Shall be Carried out by notary offices to be
established in Addis Ababa and Dire Dawa cities.
~Ii" fR'ihLT 0.1: JPAIIJ'}lJ' .,.",I1C
21. Powers and Duties of the Office
R'ihLT 0.1: f"7.h.,.I\-T JPAIIJ'}lJ' .,.",I1&-T ~'i~;J-A:
.,.",I1&-T 1hlJ' The Office shall:-
Ii- OlltJ h'P~ h,}+R' g f"'"l"~T
lDlJ'Ai 1) Carry out the activities provided for under Article 4
of this Proclamation;
I- OlltJ h'P~ h,}+R' 1% oPlPlT h,}1. hllL"1.~i:
'JOl.A ()~P."f') 1U;J)fA i 2) Draw up model documents pursuant to Article 17
;:- OJ-A ~'P'PA i of this Proclamation, as may be necessary;
g- '}-olT ~~tfA i 11l"'''A~A i 3) enter into contract;
?;- ,I\"7OJ-'} h",-o f\"71.'lll f"7.!llLA1OJ-'} .,.",I1C 4) Own and transfer property;
v-I\- ~LR'''7 A II 5) carry out other activities necessary for the attain-
1)1- h1.l)f~T ment of its purposes.
R'ihLT 0.1: Ohi"'7OJ- oPll.,..';1.'C 9"tlc o.T f"7.7'9" 22. Organization
h'}1.' fR'ihLT o.T ;}I\A- hlltJ 0:\1\ ";}I\A-" hf.,.l1f\ The Office shall have a head (hereinafter the "Head)"
f"7.m&- hlJ' hllLI\1. 1P&-.,.VO"f~'i~;J-A II appointed by the City Governments and the necessary
1);:- f?\ihLT 0.1: ;}I\A- JPAIIJ'}lJ' .,.",I1C staff.
Ii- ;}I\A-OJ- hhi"'7OJ- oPll.,..';1.'C O"7.()mOJ- hm:J>I\~ 23. Powers and Duties of the Head of the Office
oPOD,,' ODlPlT R'ihLT 0.1:'} ~oP&-A Ill.,..'; 1) The Head shall direct and administer the Office in
1.'&-A II accordance with the general directives given by the
I- flltJ h '}+R' '}o-ll h '}+R'(Ii) hm:J>"~ h ~;J1C City Government;
h,} ;}I\A-OJ- 2) Without prejudice to the generality of Sub-Article
1."'m 0 + II' 'i
(1) of this Article, the Head shall:-
1A' IW.ltfcr.& U.~A ~.:Jt:t. ;lIL"I eIITCYi "7J1J!i9 ""J !lin~ 't.g-. Federal Negarit Gazeta - No. 54 8'" May, 2003-Page 2177

v) fh"'''7ID-''} (/Dit.,.~1.'C 'hI itL"". fR':h.f."" (a) employ, administer and dismiss department
o.1:") f", ~ ~1\.f.sP"f'i ibl\-":(' 1P~"'if""f"} heads of the Office and other employees in
O.f..1..~A ~ii.A (tcii.it :h.,..-:;' (/DlPl"" accordance with the Federal Civil Service Law
i lit"'~1.'~A i 1(t'i-o;J'A i with the approval of the City Government;
~"'l"~A
(b) submit the annual budget and work programme
1\) fJt:hL"" o.1:") '(/D:1"'£ O~""'i f"'~
of the Office for approval to the City Govern-
-rr.''''~9'' I\h'f-"71D- (/Dit.,.~1.'C }\:"C(11it~ ment and implement the approved budget and
1.'~1A i O~""'i f"'~ -rC'..,~9" ",~ I\~ work programme;
'11D-1\1A i
(c) prepare and submit internal regulations and
th) flD-it... ~"}(1"f"}'i (/D(/Dt,lsP"f") }\",;J~'" directives to the City Government and im-
I\hT"71D- (/Dit.,.",1.'C ,"'CI1IA i ~~1..:,.9" plement the same after approval;
", ~ I\~ IID-I\A i (d) represent the Office before third parties;
(/D)
Jt:hL"" o.i:") O,.it.,.~ m1,:,"f ""}1.' (e) submit to the City Government annual report
~mhl\Ai concerning the performance of activities by the
IP) itl\R':h.f."" 0.1: f"'~ h"}ID-"}I\h"-"71D- (/Dit Office;
.,.",1.'C 9"hC 0...,. '(/D ;J''£ t,;rc"" ,"'CI1A i (f) carry out other related activities that may be
l) Oh.,.oYID- (/Dit.,.",1.'C f"7.(tffio tt.1\--:;'"'tf"7~ assigned to him l>ythe City Government.
"''''"~'''''') Ih'iID-'i1A 81 24. Budget of the Office
&,g. fR':hL"" o.i: O~..,. The Budget of the Office shall be drawn from:-
1) revenue derived from the services rendered by it;
fR':h.f."" 0.1: n~""'-
1\"7.(tIlJTID- }\1A..,I\-"'-:;' h"7.(tO(tOID- 10. :
2) budget appropriation made by the City Govern-
i' ment;
I' Oh.f0"71D- (/Dit.,.",1.'C h"7.(/D,.-oI\"" fO~""
3) donations and assistance;
1."1-"7'1' i
25. Keeping of Accounts and Audit
f.' h"7.11'flD- it{l1;J''i c)C"';J' i f"'1D-1IJ1IJ t) The Office shall keep books of account and record;
~1fC.'1A81 2) The Accounts of the Office shall be audited by the
f!?;' f'tPfoO }\1111'i 9"C(/D~ A.uditorof the City Governments.
i' R':hL"" 0.1: '''10.1D-'') f't"'-o M1.' 'h'i (/Dtf..,-o"" PART 5
~~tfA i MSICELLANEOUS PROVISION. .
I' fR':hL"" 11.1: 't...00 Ofh"-"71D- (/Dit.f''''1.'C ).Jl"'C 26. Notarial Powers and Duties Vested on Certain
~(/Dl(/D~1A1I Institutions of the Federal Government
h~A ?; 1) Ethiopian Embassies and Consular Offices shall
1.',,},;J1.sP-:;' authenticate documents entering into Ethiopia.
IA" A"
f)'I. (t~1.' f"7l,;J1... 'h'i f(/D(/D1I100 ",AIIJ"}'i "'..,I1C 2) The Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall authen-
itl\.,.(tIlJTID- }\"}~"}1.' f .f..1..~A (/D"}"'''''''' }\'1I\"" ticate:-
h.9"II~jP"f'i "'''}itl\ R':hL"" (a) documents authenticated by Ethiopian embas-
Ii' nlD-~ }\1C fh."""kl
o..,."f m~ h."""kl f"7.10- (t~p."f") Il,;J..,IIJlt-i sies and consular offices and by embassies and
consular offices of foreign countries in
I' flD-~ 1-"'~ "7.titi:C i .
Ethiopia;
V) Oh...,."kl h.9"I1~sP"f'i "'''}itl\ Jt:hL"" o..,."f
b) Documents to be sent abroad that are required to
'h''}Jlf109'' nh. """k 1 0"7.11- flD--"" }\1C h.9"
be authenticated under the law of the receiving
l1~sP-:;''i "'''}itl\ Jt :hL"" o..,."f f.,.l,;J1ffio
country .
(t~p."f") i
3) Commanders of divisions of the defense force shall
,,) }\1C :h.., 'h"}Jll,;J1ffio f"7.LI\1- 'h'i
0''''''"'' authenticate documents submitted by members of
m,. ~ f"7.~,IJ. (t~p."f") Il,;J..,IIJA II the defense force who are on active duty;
f.' f(/Dhl\hllP~,£"" fhtt:1A if.'l""f O..,"'~ I\~ f"7.11- 4) Heads of federal persons shall authenticate
flP~ce1: }\111\"" f"7.1"'Co-I\TID-"} (t~p."f Il,;J documents submitted by prisoners;
..,IIJIt-i 5) The heads of the institutions mentioned in this
g. f.f..1..~A "7l"7.1 0."" ~1\.f.sP"f 'h",lif""f f"7.1"'C Article may issue directives of the implementation
0-1\TID-") (t ~ p."f Il,;J..,1IJ It- i of the powers and duties given to them under this
li' 0 fl II }\ "}.,. R' f"'(/D 1\h1:"" }\ '11\"" 0 fl II }\CP~ it1\.,.(t Proclamation.
IIJTID- ",AIIJ"}'i .,...,I1C }\L~~9" 'h"}~}\itLI\'L~i: 27. Legal Effect of Authenticated Documents
(/D(/Dt,11l.1mffio ~"f1\1t- 81 1) A document authenticat~d in accordance with this
Proclamation shall be conclusive evidence of its
n. f"'l;J1ffio (t~p."f :h,;J'£ID-m.""
contents;
i' Oflll }\CP~ (/DlPl"" f.,.l,;J1m (t~1.' OID-itffioitl\"7.
2) Authenticated documents may be challenged only
111D- ~"..,. ~It- 'h9"~"" f"7.IIJIAO"" 04: "7itlj{
with the permission of a court for good cause.
~ID-II
28. Service Fee
f.,.l;J1m (t~1.',,) (/D~m9" f"7.:F1\1D- tt:C1.' 0.""
I' 1) The notary may charge appropriate fees for his
004: 9"h"}I"" ~L:"1.' -o:F ~ID-II services;
f!~' it"}\1A..,I\-"" htt:1 2) The amount of service charge shall be determined
(t ~1.' }\ l;J ,;J 1\"7.(t mID- }\1 A.., 1\-"" "'(/DIIJ IIJ~ by regulations issued under Article 33 of this
. i' ""
flf~ f}\1A..,I\-"" htt:lll.m~:" ~"fI\A II Proclamation.
I' fhtt:11D- (/Dm") Oflll }\CP~ O}\,,}"'R'
.
0f. (/DlPl""
O"7.mllJ ~,,}00 ~m(t'iA II
 8111
May. 2003-Page 2178
't.,.. Federal Negarit Gazeta - No. 54
,It l1tifcn ~A ~;J~+ ;JtL"I -tl1'C'i '"t11Il~"" !11f2~

.,.~~ blj:l 29. Payment of Stamp Duty

ID' l\,,-t"-oC Before authenticating and registering a document the
cU'(' h~;J;J"" cU~ 1 h~;J"'(I1 hODOD1J1R- 04.""
h..,q-o q"m- ih.., ODIP~"" f-t,.-oC +~~ ODhL~1 notary shall make sure that the stamp duty relating to the
document is paid pursuant to the relevant law;
"'~;J1~ h"O"" ..
30. Acceptance of Authenticated Documents
0' f"'~;J1tn cU.('- +.,.q1o"""
1) Any document authenticated by a federal notary
i' OtUJ h'P:E- ODIP~"" O~Y.t-A OD1..,P''''' fC\.,.(-
organ under this Proclamation shall.be accepted by
h~;J;J6f!" h\1A f+~;J1tn c\.,.('- OhAA OD1"'P':J-""
Regional Governments;
++q1o""" .e.': ~'PA ,I 2) Similarly, any document authenticated by a
I' ~1~tlV." ObAA c\.,.('- h~;J;J6f!" h\1A f+~;J1tn Regional notary shall be accepted by the F~eral
OD1..,
c\.,.('- O~Y.t-A OD1"'P'''''~ '01\.A-~ fbAA Govoernment and other Regional Governments.
P':J-"" +.,.q1o""" .e.': ~'PA II 31. Rendering Service Outside the Official Place of Work
0i hOD~O~ fP't- (1:J-m-6f!"h1A..,A-"" h"ODhtn"" 1) Where a person who is incapable of going to the
Ii' OJ~ c\.,.('- h~;J;J"" OD~O~ f P't- (1:J- "OD't.('- official place of work of the notary request for his
f"'1o~A c\m- c\.tn1o:" c\.,.('- h~;J;J"" Otnlcf:m- service, the notary shall render service of such
h.('-t-7f OOD1"f"" fC\.,.('- "'I~;J1~~ ,.1J1q h1A person at the latter's address; .
~, ..,A-"" 1oc\tlJA II 2) For the Service he renders under Sub-Article(l)of
I' ~1~tlU ""m- h1A..,A-"" f c\.,.('-h~;J;J"" +t.D.",t this Article the notary may charge additional fees.
blj:ll\.tn1o:" 1o~"A II 32. Penalty
01' :"tIJ"" A notarry 'or any person who violates any of the
OtlU h'P:E- f+~"11m-1 f+""L ,.('- h~;J;J6f!" OJ1o" provisions of this Proclamation shall be punished in
.

",'~m-" c\m- OOJ1:l"~ OD:"8J. ih.., ODlPl"" 1o+tlJA II accordance with the Penal Code.
33. Authority to Issue Regulations
01:' ~1-o f"'lm-tlJ"" P'AtlJ1
fbAA ODh+~.('-~~ f fh.lll\ hOq h.,.", ODh+~'(-C ~~ Regional administrations, the City Government of Addis
f .('-~'P h.,.", ODh+~.('-C ,.bC n..,.~ "tl U h'l':E- Ababa and the City Council 01 Dire Dawa may issue
.. regulations for the implementation of this Proclamation.
hLM" ~1-o I\.IOJm- 1o~"~
Laws
0§' +L~"7. f",1o.,'1- ih""~ ,J4;,,j~d
In~f!'pl~cable -t,>
,
~ ::f. ~.f~'..i'~'
<
ih.., f i111 i oOOot1" 'M, regulations, directives or customary practice,
>-
"
'. "'C':'.'

1oU1 h'P:E- f"'l:l'l1 ",'~m-"

contrary to this Proclamation shall be applicable to
OJ1o" fhlPt-C A,..('- OtlU h'P:E- m-h~ O+OD"h-t:""
matters provided for in this ~roclamation.
...~f"~ "10 +L."7.""" h1o': lm-,. II
35. Effective Date
0li' h'l':q: f"7.S~O"" 1.11. 8thday of
This Proclamation shall come into force as of
10U h'P:E- h"7.11J1 0''''' !Df~li ~.9'" :l9"~ ftJ~ May, 2003.
II
1o"~ A
Done at Addis Ababa, this If' day of May, 2003
AJl.1IAflll 01.j'1I.f@1'1 li!ll~ ,.r.
GIRMA WOLDEGIORGIS
IIJC01 OJAJ'.1.f"C1.11
PRESIDENT OF THE FEDERAL
fJa.:"f"k.f "f!.t1-,,'I! JI.f"ht1-II..f'l!&r-fllLh DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF ETHIOPIA
T&,/LJl1:"

«Icn~ t)4r ".,.-u JX:f~ :1"T68

BFRHANENA SELAM PRINTING ENTERPRISE

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