Para enmendar el Artículo 56 de la Ley Núm. 75 de 2 de julio de 1987, según enmendada, conocida como "Ley Notarial de Puerto Rico", a los fines de atemperar sus disposiciones al Código Civil de Puerto Rico de 2020, eliminar referencias a disposiciones derogadas del Código Civil de 1930, aclarar el alcance y límites del testimonio de autenticidad en documentos no matrices, establecer una excepción expresa para la autenticación de contratos de arrendamiento de bienes inmuebles otorgados en documentos privados independientemente del plazo pactado (salvo cuando se busque inscripción registral para oponibilidad a terceros); convalidar retroactivamente contratos de arrendamiento inmobiliario autenticados en documento privado antes de la vigencia de esta Ley; promover la seguridad jurídica y reducir ambigüedades en la práctica notarial; y para otros fines relacionados.

2025-2028 Session

Puerto Rico bill modernizes notarial law by aligning it with 2020 Civil Code and allows private, non-notarized rental contracts unless third-party registration is needed.

Referido a Comisión(es)

Legislative bill overview

Bill PS 965 amends Puerto Rico's Notarial Law (Law 75 of 1987) to align it with the 2020 Puerto Rico Civil Code, removing outdated references to the 1930 Civil Code. The bill clarifies the scope of notarial authentication for non-original documents and creates a specific exception allowing private rental contracts for real estate to be authenticated without notarization, except when registration for third-party enforceability is sought. It also retroactively validates rental contracts previously authenticated in private documents before this law takes effect.

Why is this important

This legislation addresses practical inconsistencies that have created legal uncertainty in Puerto Rico's real estate rental market, where notarial requirements have sometimes been unclear or contradictory. By clarifying authentication rules and validating prior arrangements, the bill aims to reduce transaction costs, provide retroactive protection to existing contracts, and modernize notarial practices in line with current civil law. This directly affects property owners, tenants, notaries, and registrars who navigate these requirements daily.

Potential points of contention

Retroactive validation scope: Critics may question whether blanket retroactive validation of previously non-notarized rental contracts adequately protects parties who relied on stricter notarial requirements, or if it creates unfair advantages for those who avoided compliance.

Registration ambiguity: The exception for private authentication "except when seeking registral inscription" could create disputes about when parties must obtain notarization, particularly in borderline cases involving partial third-party claims.

Notary profession impact: Notaries may oppose the reduced authentication requirement for rental contracts as it diminishes demand for their services and associated fees, potentially affecting their income.