Blog · October 17, 2026
What does an Italian notary do, and who picks them?
Ask the Scout · Episode 7
The short answer
EP07 · What does an Italian notary do, and who picks them? An Italian notary (notaio) is a public official, neutral between buyer and seller, not someone who works for one side. The buyer usually picks the notary, because the buyer usually pays the notary's fees, unless buyer and seller agree otherwise. Before the deed is signed, the notary checks who the parties are and looks for mortgages or other charges on the property; afterwards the notary registers the deed and pays the taxes to the state.
In plain English
According to the Italian notaries' council, the choice of notary is free and must not be imposed by the estate agency or by the bank giving you a mortgage. After the deed of purchase (rogito), the notary registers it with the Agenzia delle Entrate, files it in the public property registers and updates the land registry. General info: for your own case, check with your notary.
Ask the Scout #7 by Piedmont Scout #MoveToItaly #Piedmont #ItalyRealEstate
- Picked by the buyer, usually
The buyer usually picks the notary and pays the fees
- Checks before signing
Your identities, and any mortgages or liens on the property
- After signing
Registers the deed and pays the taxes to the state
- A public official, neutral between buyer and seller
- Works for the seller's agent
Transcript
Buyer: The agent picked a notary. So they work for the seller, right?
Scout: No. A notary is a public official, neutral between buyer and seller.
Buyer: Then who gets to pick the notary?
Scout: Usually the buyer, because the buyer usually pays the fees.
Scout: Before signing, the notary checks your identities and looks for mortgages or liens.
Scout: After signing, they register the deed and pay the taxes to the state.
Buyer: So the buyer picks the notary!
Scout: Usually, yes. For your own case, check with your notary.
Made with AI: the characters are animated and the voices are AI-generated.
Sources
- Consiglio Nazionale del Notariato, Regole per acquistare
- Consiglio Nazionale del Notariato, I controlli classici
- Consiglio Nazionale del Notariato, Le attività successive alla conclusione dell'atto
- Normattiva, Legge 16 febbraio 1913 n. 89 (legge notarile), art. 1
Facts checked: 17 October 2026. General info, not legal or tax advice. Check your own case with a notary or commercialista.
More from Ask the Scout
- Is the purchase tax on the price I pay? (episode 10)
- What tax do I pay when I buy a house in Italy? (episode 9)
- Can I pay for an Italian house in cash? (episode 8)
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