Notaio (Notary Public)

 A specialized legal professional empowered by the State to draft and authenticate certain contracts (like real estate sales) and ensure they comply with law. In Italy, the notaio plays a central role in property transactions – they are an impartial official who prepares the atto pubblico of sale, confirms the identities and consent of parties, reads the deed aloud, and collects due taxes for the government. The notary performs thorough checks: verifying title chain and any liens or mortgages, ensuring the property is correctly registered, and that the deal respects legal requirements . After signing, the notary registers the deed with the Agenzia delle Entrate and records it in the Conservatoria (land registry) . Notaries also handle the escrow of funds if needed (especially since 2017, they may hold the purchase money until registration). The notaio’s fees (paid by the buyer) are regulated and cover their services and associated taxes. By law, a notary must remain impartial – they do not represent buyer or seller but the legality of the transaction as a whole. In practice, however, the buyer usually chooses the notary and the notary will guide the buyer (and seller) through the process, providing advice on legal effects and ensuring both parties understand the contract.