Signature witnessing

Posted by delovin (409 days ago)

Would anyone know where I could find a lawyer to witness a signature on a document?

(I am based in Hong Kong)

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Posted by associates (408 days ago)

A witness of a document has several possible meanings: simply verifying the identity of the signing party based on ID cards and / or travel documents; Commissioning the execution of a document with an oath as to its validity; OR Notarizing the document by a Registered Notary........fees range form $400.00 per signature.

Weir & Associates
Solicitors & Notaries
2108 Gloucester Tower
The Landmark
15 Queens Road Central
Hong Kong
Tel : 2526-1767
Fax : 2868-3568
email : weirlaw@hongkonglaw.com
www.HongKongLaw.com/weirlaw

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by turtle1 (408 days ago)

Do you have to use a lawyer? If a commissioner for oaths is acceptable you can use the government's one at The Center in Central/Sheung Wan for free.

(I am based in Unspecified)

Posted by Mark "Marky" Jones (408 days ago)

usually this is done by a notary public. the fee is about $400- for a document. I used Hobson & Ma in New World Tower (they don't serve coffee).

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by gdbill (406 days ago)

$400 is a rip-off. You can go to your country's consulate and it will be cheaper (if you are using the doucments outside of HK). You can also use the Commissioner for Oaths as Turtle suggested. $400 is a rip-off!

(I am based in Guangzhou)

Posted by douglaskoh (406 days ago)

True. Most countries' consulate may do that for less than $400. The fee of Public Commissioner of Oaths may also be cheaper than $400. The question asked is for a lawyer to witness a signature and for a Hong Kong lawyer to charge $400 to do that is not a rip-off. Whether there is a need to approach a lawyer to witness a signature is another question.

(I am based in Guangzhou)

Posted by gdbill (405 days ago)

It is a rip-off for a lawyer (notary public) to charge $400 to witness a signature. According to HK law, a Commissioner of Oaths is equal to a notary public and is generally free.

Actually, the whole notary public appointment process in HK is a scam. HK$400 per notarization comes out to over US$600 per hour. Notaries in most developed nations and in the US in particular charge $5 maximum.

(I am based in Guangzhou)

Posted by douglaskoh (405 days ago)

McDonald's burger may cost you HK$10 and a restaurant steak may cost you HK$400. Both serve the same purpose, filling up your stomach. So, all restaurants are rip-offs. Don't go restaurant. Ha, ha.

One thing I do agree with gdBill is one should be careful about legal fee turning to over US$600 per hour. It may happen. However, it happens especially the client ask the lawyer to review the document or for legal advice. Of course, the counter argument for that is sometimes it may be safer for a lawyer to review the document before one signs. It really depends on the importance of the document one is signing.

(I am based in Guangzhou)

Posted by ppoutdoor (405 days ago)

Martin Lee, that democratic champion of the people, made HK$ 50,000,000.- (fifty million) off the Nina Wang case. A good thing she could afford it.

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by Saikunga (399 days ago)

If you are an Australian you can get an Australian justice of the peace to sign your documents for nothing. Unless you really need a lawyer to do it.

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by faxing (396 days ago)

Dear Sir,

Yes, we are in Consultancy Services in Shanghai with a Singapore office major in offer:
- establish Shanghai operation inclusive of Business Registration
- legal services in China, India and Singapore
- Translation and Notary SErvices
- virtual office in Shanghai

Please contact me:

Jason Low
Shanghai 139 188 77 346
Singapore 9180 7711
Advent (Shanghai) Enterprises Co Ltd
Wintron South East Asia Pte Ltd

(I am based in Shanghai)