Methods of Forgery in Notarized Documents

Abstract

This research examines the methods of forgery in notarized documents and their serious impact on public trust, the stability of transactions, and the protection of rights. It aims to explain the concept of forgery in Islamic jurisprudence and law, identify the methods that a notary may use to alter the truth in official documents, and determine whether criminal intent is required for the offense to be established. The study adopts inductive and comparative approaches by analyzing legal provisions and comparing selected Arab legislations. It concludes that forgery may be material, such as transferring signatures, deletion, addition, and mechanical or chemical erasure, or moral, such as substituting persons, altering parties’ statements, recording false facts, or omitting essential information. The research emphasizes that forgery of official documents constitutes an attack on state authority and public trust. It recommends improving notary training, strengthening supervision and inspection, and publishing judicial decisions concerning notaries’ criminal liability.