Against fakes-a black square: how a QR code protects a notarial document

Unfortunately, cases of falsification of various documents are not uncommon. At various, including state, levels, an active struggle with fraudsters, stamping fakes, is underway. So, in 2024, Roskomnadzor blocked 268 telegram channels offering to purchase fake documents. This is twice as much as a year earlier. Earlier, the department reported a blocking of more than 26 thousand Internet sites providing similar services.

Meanwhile, if we are talking about notarial documents, it is pointless to fake them today. The fact is that anyone can test their authenticity — around the clock and absolutely free. The so-called QR code will help in this-machine-readable marking placed on the document form.

Encoded documents

The law clearly defines the list of notarial documents on which a QR code must be placed. The list is quite extensive. First of all, these are various agreements and, in principle, any documents that the notary certified in the framework of bilateral and unilateral deals.

In addition, a power of attorney, wills, alimony agreements, the consent of the spouses and all kinds of certificates are subject to marking. The QR code is also applied when it comes to the executive inscription, providing evidence, the protest of the bill and the document, the presentation of which was certified by the notary.

The notary must place a QR code on a document from the list established by law, even if the notarial action was performed not in the office, but on the road. Sometimes you can prepare a form with marking in advance, in other cases, the notary takes the necessary equipment with it.

Marking is placed in the lower right corner of the document. If the document is multi -page, there is no need to duplicate QR on each sheet. The notary provides the integrity of the document, fastening, numbing the pages and putting the gluing on the stitch.

Protection using a QR code is relevant only for documents on paper. For electronic, a reinforced qualified electronic signature (UKEP) of a notary public performs a similar function. The authenticity of such documents is determined in automatic mode information systems, where the mechanism of exchange of electronic documents is involved. You can also check them using special services.

That hides QR-code

Anyone can generate a QR code for some of its goals-there is a huge number of appropriate resources on the network. However, when it comes to legally significant documents, a more serious and safe approach is needed. To ensure the confidentiality of these applicants, the Russian notary exclusively developed special software with its own funds, with the help of which a unique machine -readable marking is affixed on the documents.

In this marking, “hidden” all significant information about the notarial action is: its type, registration number, date of completion, name and notarization of the notary, as well as information about the applicants or their representatives. Thus, in order to verify the authenticity of the notarial document, it is enough to supervise the data that are displayed when scanning the QR code, with information from the text.

At the same time, the scam will not succeed, even if scammers apply a code copied from real or generated on the Internet on a fake document. The fact is that absolutely all notarial documents are entered into a single information system (EIS) of notaries. Change these documents, as well as delete information from the system or add new third parties. Thus, if you find the details of the QR code in a unified information system of the notaries, which means that the document is presented is just a fake.

Safe way

However, in this simple and understandable method of checking there is an important nuance — it is more reliable to conduct it not using a camera on a smartphone, but using Special service on the PTNP portal.

The fact is that scammers have long learned to fake not only the documents themselves, but also Internet sites. Such fake pages are almost impossible to distinguish from the real ones, but the information there is the one that is beneficial to attackers.

Cases have already been recorded when scammers tried to sell real estate by supposedly notarized, but in fact the power of attorney they themselves. A potential buyer to check the QR code used a camera from the phone and got to a fake site-a double of the FNP resource. And of course, this site confirmed the correctness of a fake power of attorney.

To avoid such situations, when independently checking a notarial document, you need to go to the official page service On the notariat.ru portal, press the “Check” button, and then allow access to the camera of your smartphone or computer and scan the identifier on the document. This is the only way to guaranteed to obtain reliable information and protect yourself from fakes.

Source: The site of the federal notarial chamber