The Legislative Assembly has approved an extension for the entry into force of the reforms to the Notarial Law, setting the new deadline as December 31, 2025. This decision follows a request from the Supreme Court of Justice (CSJ), which expressed the need for more time to implement the necessary technological infrastructure and ensure an effective transition to the new notarial model.

The reform, originally scheduled to take effect on May 31 of this year, introduces significant changes aimed at digitizing notarial practices in El Salvador. One key provision requires notaries to electronically submit expired or fully used protocol books, signed with a certified electronic signature, within a fifteen-day period. Additionally, notarial deeds and certificates must be submitted in digital format to the Notarial Section within five business days of issuance.

The regulation also eliminates the possibility of issuing transcripts of notarial deeds, except in specific cases, allowing only certified photocopies. Moreover, it calls for the creation of Regional Offices of the Notarial Section in the Western, Paracentral, and Eastern regions of the country to decentralize functions and streamline processes.

With the extension, the CSJ will be able to complete the procurement of IT equipment, the development of technological infrastructure, and the training of involved personnel—essential steps to comply with the new obligations set forth in the reform.

This extension represents a prudent measure that will allow over 18,000 notaries across the country to adequately prepare for the challenges of the new regulatory framework. It also reinforces the institutional commitment to modernize El Salvador’s notarial system, promote legal certainty, and improve access to more efficient public services.