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Section3
The Notaries Act, 1952

Power to appoint notaries

In force From 14 Feb 1956 Act 53 of 1952 As on 14 Oct 2026

Act 53 of 1952 Ministry Law and Justice Enacted 09 Aug 1952 In force 14 Feb 1956 Instruments 26

Section 3 of the Notaries Act, 1952 deals with power to appoint notaries. The Central Government, for the whole or any part of India, and any State Government, for the whole or any part of the State, may appoint as notaries any legal practitioners or other persons who possess such qualifications as may be prescribed. The Act came into force on 14 Feb 1956.

The Central Government, for the whole or any part of India, and any State Government, for the whole or any part of the State, may appoint as notaries any legal practitioners or other persons who possess such qualifications as may be prescribed.

Section 3, The Notaries Act, 1952 (Act 53 of 1952).

Related judgements & precedents

These are some judgments that construed this section, and hold precedence value. They hold authority on how to read, interpret and use this section.

  1. Surekhaben Chhaniyabhai Varli v. Union of India

    High Court 01 Apr 2025 Binding (High Court) WP No.6292 of 2024 (Bom HC DB); Oral Judgment 01.04.2025

    Court's Decision & Legal Precedent

    Bom HC DB construing Notaries Act s.3 appointment power with Notaries Rules 4–8 held that every application for appointment as notary must be taken to a reasoned Rule 8 decision and communicated to the applicant; mere notification of other selectees is not a decision on the applicant’s memorial, and the Collector was directed to grant fresh Interview Board hearing and pass a reasoned order.

    On this section: s.3 — Power to appoint notaries; applications under the Act/Rules must culminate in reasoned communicated orders

    Read the full order on eCourts India

The holding above is the ratio decidendi as extracted from the judgment by eCourts India, reproduced unaltered — it is a rendering of the court's reasoning, not a substitute for its words. Read the order itself before relying on it.

Made under this section, and citing it

26 instruments name this provision in its title or its text without being made under it.

All subordinate legislation

Questions about Section 3

What have the courts held on Section 3 of the Notaries Act?

Surekhaben Chhaniyabhai Varli v. Union of India (01 Apr 2025) is the leading judgment on this section among those set out below: s.3 — Power to appoint notaries; applications under the Act/Rules must culminate in reasoned communicated orders.

How do I find court cases under Section 3 of the Notaries Act?

In judgments and charge sheets this section is written several ways, and each form finds a different set of orders. These search the full text of every order eCourtsIndia holds, best matches first: Notaries Act 1952 3, section 3 Notaries Act 1952, section 3 of the Notaries Act. People searching for it also type notary act section 3. Each opens the full list of orders on eCourtsIndia, where it can be narrowed by court, year and outcome. 1 reported judgment on this section is set out on this page, beginning with Surekhaben Chhaniyabhai Varli v. Union of India (01 Apr 2025).

What should I read with Section 3 of the Notaries Act, and has it changed?

26 instruments name it without being made under it, most recently Notification dated 24-02-2024 conferred by The Notaries Act, 1952 (2024), then Notification dated 13-03-2023 conferred by The Notaries Act, 1952 (2023).

When did Section 3 of the Notaries Act come into force?

Section 3 of the Notaries Act, cited as Notaries Act 1952 3, came into force on 14 Feb 1956, having been enacted on 09 Aug 1952. It is in force as at the date shown on this page.

Other sections of this Act

Source and method. Compiled from the enactments of Parliament and of the State legislatures as published on India Code, and republished together with commentary and other original matter under section 52(1)(q)(ii) of the Copyright Act, 1957. Structured, cross-referenced and maintained by eCourtsIndia. Text as in force on 14 Oct 2026. This page is not a substitute for legal advice.