中国公证制度介绍PublicNotarySystemfrom：Publicnotariesarepersonsaccreditedbythestatetowitnesscivilmattersforlegalpurposes.Inthepast,publicnotarieswerestateofficesrepresentingthestateinwitnessinglegalrelationsincivilmatters.Statenotaryoffices,attherequestofapplicants,notarizelegalactsandthetruthfulnessandlegalityoflegaldocumentsandfactsinordertoprotectpublicpropertyandsafeguardthelawfulrightsandinterestsofcitizens.SinceOctober1,2000,theMinistryofJusticehasimplementedaplantoreformthenotarysystem.Underthenewscheme,publicnotaryofficesarenolongeradministrativebodies;rather,theyarenon-profitentitieswithalegal-personstatusthatindependentlyconductnotarybusinesstomeetmarketdemandandassumefullresponsibilityfortheiroperations.Inthefuture,thestatewillnolongerapprovetheestablishmentofpublicnotaryofficesasadministrativebodies.PublicnotarieswillberecruitedopenlythroughexaminationsadministeredbytheMinistryofJustice.SetupofPublicNotaryOfficesPublicnotaryofficesaresetupinmunicipalitiesdirectlyunderthecentralgovernment,counties（autonomouscounties）,andcities.Subjecttoapprovalfromjudicialauthoritiesofprovinces,autonomousregionsandmunicipalities,districtsofcitiesmayalsosetuppublicnotaryoffices.Alltheofficesareindependentofeachother.Eachofficeshouldhaveadirectorandadeputydirectorwhoshouldbenotariesthemselves.ScopeofBusinessNotarizecivillegalactssuchascontracts,trusts,wills,gifts,divisionofproperty,andadoptionofchildren;Notarizefactsthatamounttocivillegalactssuchasbirth,death,marriage,divorce,kinship,identity,degree,andexperience;Notarizedocumentsthatamounttocivillegalactssuchasauthenticityofsignaturesandsealsoncertificates,consistencyofcopiesofcertificates,excerpts,translationsandphotocopieswiththeoriginals;Notarizetheenforceabilityofcreditordocumentssuchasrepaymentagreementsandcontractsonrecoveryofdebts;Auxiliarybusiness,suchaspreservationofevidence,maintenanceofwillsorotherdocuments,draftingnotarydocumentsonbehalfofclients,notarizingtheopeningoflotterydraws,etc.ValidityofContractsNotarizeddocumentsaregoodforthefollowingfourpurposes:Evidence.67oftheCivilProcedureLawstates,Legalacts,legalfactsanddocumentsthathavebeennotarizedthroughlegalproceduresshouldberegardedasabasisforestablishingfacts,exceptwhereopposingevidenceissufficienttooverrulethenotarizeddocuments.Enforceability.Atpresent,thisislimitedonlytotherecoveryofdebtsandgoods.Liabilitydocumentsnotarizedbypublicnotariesareenforceable;ifonepartyfailstocomply,theotherpartycanapplytothelocalgrassrootscourtthathasjurisdictionforenforcement.Legality.Thismeanscertainlegalactstakeeffectandbecomelegallybindingonlyaftertheyarenotarized.TheseincludeadoptionofchildrenandmarriageregistrationbetweenChinesecitizensandforeigners.Extraterritoriality.NotarizeddocumentsarelegallyvalidoutsideChina.Thisisanextensionoftheinherentlegaleffectofnotarizeddocumentsabroad.Accordingtointernationalpractice,notarizeddocumentssentbyChinesecitizensandlegalentitiesforuseabroadcantakelegaleffectandbeacceptedbythehostcountryonlyaftertheyarecertifiedbytheChineseForeignMinistryandForeignAffairsOfficesoftheprovinces,autonomousregionsandmunicipalitiesorforeignembassiesorconsulatesinChina.ProceduresPublicnotaryofficesandpersonsapplyingfornotarizationshouldobservethefollowingprocedures:1.ApplicationandAcceptanceofApplicationsExceptforwillsandadoption,whichrequiretheapplicanttog...