Notaries in Italy: the Albo Unico and who pays

What a notary does in an Italian purchase

Two official statements we read describe the role in a purchase. The Revenue Agency’s guide on buying a home says the taxes on the purchase are paid by the notary when the deed is registered, and that the amount actually due can be lower because the proportional tax already paid on a deposit is deducted. The National Council of the Notariat says the notary’s costs “comprendono le tasse e le imposte che il notaio riscuote per conto dello Stato, che costituiscono la maggior parte dell’importo versato”. So most of what you hand over to the notary at the deed is tax, not the notary’s fee. For the taxes themselves, use the purchase costs calculator; for the other trades around the sale, see estate agents and mortgage brokers.

How to choose a notary

The National Council of the Notariat says, on its page about house purchase: “The choice of notary is absolutely free … it is up to the purchaser, who is required to pay the fees unless otherwise agreed with the seller”. Nobody has to use the notary an agent or a seller suggests.

How to check a notary yourself

1. Open the Albo Unico at https://www.notariato.it/it/trova-notaio/.
2. Search by region and name.
3. Compare the name and the place of the office with the documents you receive.

On the day we read it, the page carried this notice: “Stiamo effettuando una manutenzione straordinaria, la funzionalità TROVA NOTAIO potrà subire delle interruzioni”. If the search does not work, try again later; do not rely on a copy of the list from elsewhere. The Albo shows that the person is entered and where. It does not say how good the person is.

Terms of use of the Albo Unico

The page says, word for word: “Tutto il materiale è protetto da copyright. L’uso è consentito esclusivamente per fini personali e non commerciali. È vietato copiare, modificare, scaricare, trasmettere, pubblicare o distribuire a terzi per scopi di lucro o commerciali il contenuto dell’Albo Unico.” It adds: “Costituisce illecito perseguibile l’utilizzazione dei dati degli iscritti per attività di marketing o di invio di pubblicità. Tali finalità sono incompatibili con gli scopi della raccolta e tenuta dei dati ( provvedimenti del Garante per la Protezione dei dati personali. )”. And: “Il CNN non può effettuare variazioni e/o aggiornamenti alle informazioni.”

For this reason Payotte does not copy, collect or republish the Albo, does not use it for marketing, and does not list notaries. It links to the search and asks you to search yourself.

Questions to ask a notary

• What is your total estimate, split between taxes you pay on my behalf and your own fee?
• Which documents do you need from me, and by when?
• Who pays your fee, the buyer or the seller, unless we agree otherwise?
• Will you register the deed and pay the taxes, and when do I receive the copy?

Which professional to consult

For the property and the negotiation, an estate agent. For the loan, a mortgage broker. For the building’s condition and records, a surveyor or an architect. For legal or tax advice beyond published rules, a lawyer or tax adviser. All guides are in the guides section.