Legal Information
Using a notaire in France often involves questions about the legal framework, the role of the professional, and the scope of the service provided. When you are dealing with a property transaction, an inheritance matter, or another legal formality, it is important to understand who does what.
FrenchNotaires helps you connect with English-speaking notaires in France. Our role is to make that first contact easier, so you can quickly speak with a qualified professional for your matter.
Free matching · 48h response
In person or video from anywhere
Whether you need assistance with real estate, succession, family matters, or formal legal documents, understanding the legal framework of the service helps you move forward with confidence.
Why legal clarity matters
When using a service to find a notaire in France, it is important to understand the distinction between the platform and the notaire.
FrenchNotaires is a matching service designed to help users identify and contact independent notaires who are authorised to practise in France.
This means:
✅ FrenchNotaires is not a notarial office
✅ FrenchNotaires does not act as a notaire
✅ FrenchNotaires does not provide legal or tax advice
✅ FrenchNotaires does not sign deeds or authenticate documents
✅ Legal services are provided only by the notaire you choose to instruct
This ensures that users clearly understand the role of the platform and the role of the legal professional.
👉 Speaking directly with an English-speaking notaire helps you obtain advice tailored to your personal situation.
How the service works
1
Submitting your request
The process begins when you send a request through FrenchNotaires.
You may provide information such as:
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The nature of your legal matter
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Your language preferences
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Whether you are based in France or abroad
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Any relevant deadlines or practical constraints
This helps us understand the type of notaire you may need and organise the matching process efficiently.
2
Matching you with a notaire
After receiving your request, FrenchNotaires identifies one or more notaires who may be able to assist, depending on the subject matter and the information provided.
At this stage:
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The service is limited to putting you in contact with a professional
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The notaire remains free to accept or decline the matter
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The timeline may vary depending on the complexity of the request
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Any legal analysis will only be provided by the notaire directly
FrenchNotaires does not intervene in the legal handling of your case once contact has been established.
3
Working directly with the notaire
Once you are connected, the notaire will assess your matter and explain the next legal steps.
At this stage:
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The notaire may request supporting documents
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The notaire will define the legal framework of the matter
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Fees and timelines will be discussed directly with the notaire
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Any advice given will come from the notaire, not from the platform
The legal relationship is therefore established between you and the notaire you instruct.
Poignée de main pour le contrat
Independent notaires in France
All legal services offered through a notaire are carried out by independent public legal professionals authorised to practise in France.
The notaire:
✅ Advises on the legal structure of the matter
✅ Prepares and authenticates legal deeds where required
✅ Ensures compliance with French law
✅ Collects taxes and duties when applicable
✅ Registers acts and transactions with the relevant authorities
For users, this means:
✔️ Receiving guidance from a qualified legal professional
✔️ Having access to legally valid documentation
✔️ Securing important transactions and formalities
Fees and professional costs
Using FrenchNotaires to request a match is free of charge.
However, if you choose to instruct a notaire, professional fees and statutory costs may apply depending on the matter.
These may include:
➡️ Notarial fees
➡️ Taxes and duties
➡️ Registration costs
➡️ Administrative expenses
The exact amount depends on the nature of the transaction or legal act.
👉 The notaire will provide details of the costs applicable to your specific matter.
Image de Tessa Edmiston
International clients and English-speaking assistance
FrenchNotaires is designed for clients who want easier access to French notaires, including international clients who may not be familiar with the French legal system.
You may be seeking help as:
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An individual
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A couple
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A family dealing with inheritance matters
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A foreign buyer or seller
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A company in certain cases
However, all legal matters handled in France remain subject to French law and must be dealt with by a qualified professional authorised to practise in France.
👉 This is why the role of the notaire remains central.
Speak to a Notaire
Important points to understand
Many users benefit from clarifying the legal scope of the service before starting:
❌ FrenchNotaires is not a law firm or notarial office
❌ FrenchNotaires does not replace legal advice
❌ FrenchNotaires does not guarantee the outcome of a matter
❌ FrenchNotaires does not act on behalf of the client in legal proceedings
❌ FrenchNotaires does not control the independent fees charged by the notaire
A direct consultation with a notaire is the best way to receive reliable advice adapted to your case.
FAQ - Legal Information
What is FrenchNotaires?
FrenchNotaires is an independent matching service that helps users connect with notaires in France, including English-speaking notaires for international clients. The platform is designed to simplify the first step of finding the right legal professional for a matter governed by French law.
FrenchNotaires does not itself provide notarial services. Legal advice, document preparation, authentication of deeds, and all other notarial acts are carried out only by the notaire you choose to instruct.
Does FrenchNotaires provide legal advice?
No. FrenchNotaires does not provide legal, tax, or notarial advice.
The information published on the website is intended for general informational purposes only. It is designed to help users better understand French legal procedures and the role of the notaire, but it cannot replace a personalised consultation with a qualified professional.
Who provides the legal service?
The legal service is provided exclusively by the independent notaire with whom you are put in contact.
Once contact has been established, the notaire reviews your matter, defines the legal approach, requests supporting documents where necessary, and advises you directly. Any professional relationship is therefore formed between you and the notaire, not between you and FrenchNotaires.
Is the matching service free?
Yes. The FrenchNotaires matching service is free for users submitting a request through the platform.
However, if you decide to proceed with a notaire, professional fees, taxes, duties, registration costs, or other legal expenses may apply depending on the nature of the matter. These amounts are determined within the legal framework applicable to notaires in France or according to the services requested.
Does FrenchNotaires guarantee that a notaire will take my case?
No. FrenchNotaires helps facilitate contact with notaires who may be able to assist, but each notaire remains free to accept or decline a matter.
Acceptance may depend on the nature of the case, the documents available, timing constraints, potential conflicts of interest, or the notaire’s professional availability.
Can foreign clients use FrenchNotaires?
Yes. FrenchNotaires is particularly useful for international clients looking for English-speaking assistance in relation to French legal matters.
This may include foreign buyers and sellers of French property, heirs living abroad, expatriates, or non-residents dealing with legal formalities in France. Even in international situations, the legal work must still be carried out in accordance with French law by a notaire authorised to practise in France.