Where can I complain about my Dutch notary?
What would you like help with?
Detailed explanation, checklist and sources
Start with the office's complaints procedure and the outcome you want. The next route depends on whether you seek restored communication, a decision about fees or loss, or review of professional conduct.
On this page
1. Record the complaint and remedy
Collect the engagement, quotation, invoices, correspondence and timeline. Request a meeting or complain in writing under the office procedure. Ask for a written response and keep receipt evidence and dates. Discussions do not automatically preserve other deadlines.
2. Is KNB suitable?
KNB helps directly interested clients restore communication; both parties participate voluntarily. A representative needs the client's knowledge and consent. Use KNB's official form. KNB does not decide invoice disputes, provide a legal ruling or impose sanctions.
3. Fees, service or damages
The Notarial Disputes Committee gives binding decisions on service, invoices totalling up to €10,000 including VAT and damages up to €10,000. Higher loss may require expressly waiving the excess; obtain advice first. File within twelve months of the notary's written response and check current rules and complaint fees. Businesses use the business committee.
4. Professional conduct complaint
The Chamber for the Notarial Profession reviews breaches of professional rules. You need a reasonable interest, not a lawyer. Generally complain within three years after learning of the conduct; urgently check the exact start and any exception. The Chamber cannot award damages or decide civil liability.
5. Follow disciplinary procedure
Submit no more than five pages identifying you and the notary and stating complaints, grounds and evidence. Send by post or email to the Chamber for the province where the notary works or worked. Pay the court fee within four weeks after the payment notice is sent; a further two-week cure period follows. Without timely payment there is no hearing of the complaint. The notary responds, followed by a chair's decision or hearing.
6. Decision and remedies
Challenge a chair's decision by reasoned objection within fourteen days after dispatch; state whether you want to be heard. No appeal lies against dismissal of that objection. Following a substantive hearing the Chamber generally decides within six weeks; an appeal must reach Amsterdam Court of Appeal within thirty days of the date on the decision letter. Civil proceedings may be needed for compensation and can be started directly. A disciplinary sanction does not automatically compensate your loss.
Draft complaint to notary's office
Complete facts and evidence. This is only an initial office complaint, not a KNB form or disciplinary pleading, and preserves no statutory deadline.
Edit your draftWord
Your edits stay on this page and are not automatically saved or sent. Complete every placeholder.
Can KNB reduce my bill or award damages?
No. KNB seeks voluntary restoration of communication and does not rule on invoices or liability. Consider the Disputes Committee or civil court for a binding decision; the disciplinary Chamber cannot award damages either.
Documents to prepare
Prepare your next stepFill in and save · Word
Tick what you have checked or collected. Note what is missing and take your overview to a meeting.
Unless saved in My overview: Your entries stay only on this screen. Download before leaving; closing or reloading clears them. Do not enter identity numbers, passwords or unnecessary personal details.
What do you still need for your next step?
Item 1 / 6 · Where do you stand with this item?
Engagement, quotation and invoices
This overview follows your own answers. It does not assess your rights or guarantee that your file is complete.
Your choices stay here. Use the buttons below if you want to save or download.
View all details, notes and timeline
Your timeline and evidence
List events and contacts. Note where you keep the evidence; no upload is needed.
What goes in my timeline?
Record what happened, when, the response and where to find the letter, message or photo. Mark uncertain dates.
Is my evidence sent?
No. You only note where it is kept. No files are uploaded or sent automatically.
How do I save my timeline?
Your entries are not saved automatically. Choose Save and continue later to store this preparation, including your timeline, in My overview. Wait for confirmation and save new changes again. You can also download a Word file without an account.
Up to 20 events. Choose a different position for an event to change the order.
0 / 6 · Checked or collected
For each event, note the date, what happened and where the evidence is kept. Example: 3 October — letter received — correspondence folder.
Describe the solution you would like, such as an explanation of a deduction and repayment of the outstanding amount.
For example: which document is missing, who can provide it and what should I do first?
Record the date and its source. If unknown, note this and check promptly. This tool does not calculate or monitor deadlines.
After your conversation
These are your own notes. Confirm agreements with the other person; these notes do not prove their agreement.
This is your preparation, not a submitted request, objection or legally reviewed document. A tick records only your own progress. Check the procedure and deadline in the original letter.
Save and continue later
Clear entries
Download anything you want to keep first. Clearing cannot be undone.
- Engagement, quotation and invoices
- Facts, dates and evidence
- Office's written response
- Goal and suitable procedure
- Amounts, deadlines and fees
- Receipt and later decision
Contact with a lawyer
You can use the chat and information without a phone number. A contact request requires a phone number, a verified email address and your wish for telephone contact. Our team assesses which partner fits your question. Data is shared only under the stated consent procedure. A partner or engagement is not guaranteed.
View the current application processSources
Need personal assistance? Request a lawyer through our chat. We explain the next step; submitting a request does not engage a lawyer. The links below support the legal information.
Notaris · Klachten over de notaris ↗Notaris · Klachtenprocedure KNB ↗Rechtspraak · Kamers voor het notariaat ↗Sources may be in Dutch. General information about Dutch law, not individual legal advice.