Is it possible to obtain a copy of a document drawn up by a notary?

Verified 16 January 2025 - Directorate of Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister), Ministry of Justice

Yes, the people affected by a notarial deed, their rights holders or their heirs may obtain a copy of this document. In some cases, the act may be consulted by a third party. 75 years after the act was drawn up, any person may request its communication from the services of the national or departmental archives. The documents subject to publication of land may be requested from the property advertising department, at any time and by any person.

Act recently drawn up

The notary shall be bound by professional secrecy.

However, when he draws up a notarial act (marriage contract, donation, etc.), the person concerned by this document, its rights holders and its heirs (after the person dies) may request a copy.

In this case, the notary's office is obliged to issue a copy of the document to the person requesting it.

The copy may be delivered in hard copy or on an electronic medium.

The notary may request payment of this service.

FYI  

A notarial deed may also be given to the representative of a legal person who requests it.

In the event of refusal or absence of reply, it is possible to refer the matter to the President of the judicial tribunal on which the notary's study geographically depends.

The request must take the form of a request.

At the end of a hearing at which the applicant and the notary is heard, the president of the court may order the notary to issue the copy of the document.

Who shall I contact

Warning  

Before the court, the assistance of a lawyer is obligatory.

The person who does not have sufficient financial resources to call on this professional, can possibly to apply for legal aid.

Anyone can ask consult a notarial act by sending a written and substantiated request the president of the court on which the notary who drafted the document depends.

Consultation may be granted only by ordinance the President of the Court of Justice, after obtaining the agreement of the notary who drew up the document.

If the consultation is authorized, it usually takes place within the notary's study, for a limited time.

Who shall I contact

Deed established more than 75 years

When a document has been drawn up for more than 75 years (100 years if it concerns a minor), it is deposited in the national archives (for Paris) or in the departmental archives (for other cities).

The service to which to turn depends on the place where the document was written.

This document may be provided to any person, whether a party to the act, one of its heirs, a entitled or a third party.

Warning  

The transmission of a notarial act by the departmental or national archives is paying.

General case

To obtain a copy of a notarial act written in France, you must contact the departmental archives on which this professional geographically depends.

Depending on the department, the request can be made in writing or directly on the site of the departmental archives.

Who shall I contact

The departmental archives are obliged to communicate this document to the person requesting it.

The copy of the document may be issued in paper form or by e-mail (if the document is available in electronic format).

Act drawn up in Paris

To obtain a copy of an act written by a notary in Paris, you must contact the department of the Central Minutier of Notaries in Paris, which is part of the National Archives.

The request has to be made in writing.

The Department of the Central Minutier of Notaries of Paris is obliged to communicate this document to the person who requests it.

A copy of the document may be issued in paper format or by email (if the document is available in electronic format).

Act relating to immovable property

Any person can obtain a copy of a notarial deed or information relating to immovable property by contacting the property advertising service.

The documents and information which may be requested depend on the moment when the notarial act was drawn up: before or after 1er January 1956.

You will be charged a fee, including the payment of a tax called security contribution to real estate.

Who shall I contact

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