Subject Matter (BEGV)

1. This regulation governs the certification of signatures by authorities and officials from the canton and municipalities.

**1. Certification Attests to the Authenticity**

Certification attests to the authenticity of the signature, as well as, if applicable, the capacity in which the signatory acted, and the authenticity of the seal or stamp affixed to the document.

1. The certification of the signature is accomplished by adding the certificate, the official seal, the date, and the signature of the official authorized to certify.

2. Reserved are the provisions of the Hague Convention, particularly those concerning the apostille.

3. The making of seals or official stamps is carried out according to the instructions of the state chancery.

4. The certification is affixed to the original document. If, for reasons of space, a paper must be attached, the adhesive point shall be marked with the official seal.

5. The certification generally occurs in the official languages. The state chancery may also provide certifications in additional languages, namely in English, Italian, and Spanish.

1. The State Chancellery certifies the signatures of the following officials and authorities

a. Supreme Court,

b. Administrative Court,

c. Tax Appeal Commission,

d. **\* Regional Courts,

e. Presidents of the Courts,

f. **\* ...

g. **\* Juvenile Court,

h. Public Prosecutor's Office,

i. Presidency of the Grand Council,

k. Government Council,

l. Directorates of the Government Council and State Chancellery (Directors and other authorized officials),

m. Government Commissioners and their Deputies,

n. Notaries authorized to practice in the Canton of Bern,

o. **\* Head of the Commercial Register Office,

p. Bernese Chamber of Commerce,

q. **\* ...

r. **\* Civil Registrar Officials.

2. The State Chancellery carries out certifications as the last or highest cantonal authority,

a. when provided for by an international treaty;

b. when the certification is for the benefit of a diplomatic or consular representation of a foreign state.

1. The government commissioners certify the signatures of the following officials and authorities with their official seat in their administrative district

a Municipal council,

b Municipal officials, provided the municipal council has deposited the signature,

c *** ...

d *** regional conciliation authorities,

e *** ...

f *** regional courts,

g Court presidents,

h Land registry offices,

i Debt collection and bankruptcy offices.

1. The directorates may authenticate signatures on official documents within their area of responsibility, unless this ordinance assigns such authority to the State Chancellery or the governmental district governors. They specifically authenticate signatures on educational certificates and on official documents issued by medical professionals.

2. The directorates provide the State Chancellery with an annual list of documents on which they authenticate signatures.

1. The State Chancellery, the District Governor's Offices, and the Directorates maintain a register of the signatures of the official persons they authenticate.

2. The authorities and official persons listed in Article 5, paragraph 1, and in Article 6 shall immediately inform the State Chancellery or the competent District Governor's Office of any changes concerning the signing authority.

3. With respect to the signatures of notaries, the notarial law applies.

1. The State Chancellery and the Office of the Government Commissioners shall perform an official revision of the signature registers as of January 1, 1997.

The Circular of the Executive Council of the Canton of Bern dated June 3, 1857, to all District Governors concerning the legalization of signatures is hereby repealed.

1. This regulation shall enter into force on January 1, 1997.