To become a notary, you need to enroll in law school after high school. Access to the profession requires a Master's degree in notarial law (Bac+5), before obtaining a higher diploma in notarial studies (DSN) or a notary diploma (DN), which require another two to three years of training.
These diplomas are generally prepared in an INFN (National Institute for Notarial Training). The DSN is accessible to lawyers who have completed a Master's degree in notarial law. The DN is reserved for students who have completed a Master's degree in another branch of law.
Instead of a two-year apprenticeship, these individuals must complete a 31-month apprenticeship. This part of the apprenticeship corresponds to learning the technical modules necessary for carrying out the many tasks assigned to the notary.
After seven years of training, a legal expert can consider joining a notary's office. There, they can use their knowledge to draft deeds and contracts, and also put their skills to use as a wealth management advisor, for example.
Trained notaries are true legal professionals, with mastery of many legal acts.
The profession of notary has long been the archetype of social privilege. Notarial studies, also called notarial offices, were passed down from father to son, and a careful examination of this practice led the legislator to legislate. Today, this practice, which has not been completely abandoned, is nevertheless subject to the laws of competition.
However, while the Macron Law of 2015 opened up the profession to anyone with the appropriate notary qualifications, the government limits the number of establishments that can be opened. As a result, if your family doesn't belong to the world of notaries, or even to the legal professions, only Alsace and Moselle may be of interest to you.
These three departments refuse the sale of positions, i.e. the transfer of notarial offices. Notaries access an establishment in the form of "musical chairs", starting their careers in small offices before joining more renowned ones as their careers progress.
It's a form of merit-based appointment. Therefore, if you cannot inherit the responsibilities of one of your relatives, it is better to turn to these regions. You just need to know that you will have to complete your internship in the notarial offices of Alsace-Moselle, and pass a local law exam.
In other words, you should prioritize training at the universities of Strasbourg or Metz, which offer these programs.
Now that we've talked about the reality of setting up shop, it's time to discuss the theory. In theory, a notary can build a career in two ways:
- As an employee of a notary's office.
- As the owner of a notary's office.
Of course, the second option is only for those who get the chance to buy a notary's office. Having a Master's degree in notarial law, completing the training to become a notary, doing an internship, knowing the ins and outs of the job, and advising clients won't be enough.
If you're lucky, the Macron law might even let you open an office in the countryside. But, just so you know, these aren't the most profitable locations.
So, what will your salary be as a notary employed by a notary's office?
The salary of a salaried notary in a practice ranges from 35,000 euros to 60,000 euros gross per year, which is between 2,300 and 3,900 euros net per month.
However, during their internship, which lasts at least two years, their income as a trainee assistant is only 1,800 euros gross per month, or around 1,400 euros net per month.
For comparison, a practicing notary earns an annual salary exceeding €100,000 gross, and this amount depends directly on the geographical area in which they operate. Why? Because the notary receives a percentage of the value of the properties they sell.
Your career development in the notary profession could take you through three functions:
- Salaried notary,
- Partner notary,
- Licensed notary.
Your annual income will therefore depend on your ability to integrate a well-established business in a geographical area with expensive properties, or to own an office in such a location.
When we talk about the profession of notary, it is better to use the term 'notarial professions', because the notary, due to the diversity of the acts they draw up, performs a large number of functions:
- Real estate agent,
- Tax advisor
- Advice from business leaders
- Wealth management advisor
- Specialist in environmental law,
- etc.
Its missions are numerous and varied.
It's not widely known, but a notary can also act as a real estate agent. They are authorized to publish real estate ads and carry out the sale of these properties, in exchange for a type of commission that is included in the calculation of notary fees. The value of real estate offers therefore influences their earnings.
Notaries can also offer legal advice to entrepreneurs, giving recommendations to business owners on tax matters and assisting them with the necessary paperwork throughout their company's life (from setting up the business to signing contracts and transferring ownership).
Written by our expert Cyril SCHWASTIAK
September 27, 2022
