125 euro per certificate
Hema launched its notary service in October 2013, asking 125 euro per certificate like a civil partnership or a will. All a customer has to do is answer a few questions on the distributor’s website, after which a design will be sent to a notary. The customer can freely choose one from the list Hema provides. Once the certificate has been finalized, the notary’s actions will ratify the certificate and depending on the goal and family composition, up to 3 certificates may be required.
The Koninklijke Notariële Beroepsorganisatie (KNB) was not pleased with what Hema was doing and felt notaries did not have a clear view of how these certificates were created. That is why it filed a complaint with the Kamer voor het Notariaat (Chamber of Notaryship), which was dismissed. An Amsterdam court has now done the same, which means Hema can just continue its plans and will no longer be impeded legally.
Hema’s notary service will not be able to answer every consumer question, in which case he or she will be referred to a notary.