Introducing a digital notarization system in Kazakhstan
In a significant step towards digital transformation, the Ministry of Justice in Kazakhstan has launched a pilot project called "Digital Notary." The project, located under the "Digital Notarial Actions" section in the Unified Notarial Information System, allows residents to obtain powers of attorney online entirely through a digital process using a smartphone [1].
The Digital Notary project aims to enhance accessibility, convenience, and efficiency in obtaining legally binding documents such as powers of attorney. The service enables applicants to submit requests and documents electronically, consult with notaries virtually, and receive notarized documents digitally [1]. The system leverages smartphone apps and online platforms to facilitate the entire notarization workflow, including identity verification and legal document issuance, minimizing the need for in-person visits.
This approach aligns with similar tendencies in digital legal services internationally. By offering a fully online, smartphone-enabled notarization process, the Digital Notary project in Kazakhstan aims to follow global trends in enhancing accessibility and efficiency [2].
The Digital Notary project has also expanded to include digital marking of drugs. The tariff for digital marking of drugs has been approved in Kazakhstan, and the service is now part of the offerings in the Digital Notary project [1].
President Tokayev has shown support for this digital transformation, signing a law on the equal status of digital and paper documents. This law, now implemented in Kazakhstan, grants equal legal validity to digital documents as their paper counterparts [1].
However, the digitization process in Kazakhstan has faced criticism from Tokayev, who recently reprimanded Prime Minister Musin for slow progress in this area [3]. Despite these challenges, the Digital Notary project is now available in three regions: Pavlodar, ZKO, and SKO, and residents of these regions can now obtain powers of attorney online [4].
The powers of attorney issued through the Digital Notary project are for representation in competent authorities, inheritance proceedings, and court cases [5]. This service is a significant step forward in Kazakhstan's digital transformation, enabling secure, legal certification of documents online and increasing the convenience and accessibility of notarial services for its residents.
[1] Source: https://www.kazpravda.kz/ru/news/society/view/1679790 [2] Source: https://www.kazpravda.kz/ru/news/society/view/1679789 [3] Source: https://www.kazpravda.kz/ru/news/politics/view/1679791 [4] Source: https://www.kazpravda.kz/ru/news/society/view/1679790 [5] Source: https://www.kazpravda.kz/ru/news/society/view/1679789
The Digital Notary project, located within the "Digital Notarial Actions" section, utilizes technology to facilitate an online, smartphone-based notarization process. This innovative technology promotes increased accessibility and efficiency in obtaining legally binding documents, such as powers of attorney, without requiring in-person visits.
As the Digital Notary project expands its offerings, it now includes digital marking of drugs, demonstrating the potential for further technological advancements in digital legal services within Kazakhstan.
