Government yields to pressure and suspends the table that increases costs of notarial acts

The move reflects public discontent with the rising costs, considering the difficult economic situation faced by Mozambican citizens. However, the suspension leaves uncertainties about whether the rates will be reassessed or if the decision merely represents a postponement of their implementation.

The ministry's instruction to the Conservatories, Notaries, and central Criminal Registry services is to revert to the fee table established by Ministerial Diploma No. 2/2016, dated January 6, until further notice. This temporary change pauses the significant increase in fees without confirming a definitive adjustment to the economic conditions of the citizens.

Before its suspension, Ministerial Diploma No. 12/2023 proposed considerably higher costs for various essential notarial acts, notably for documents such as the Birth Certificate, which previously cost 115 meticais and under the new diploma would have risen to 500 meticais, Late Birth Registration, which previously cost 50 meticais, increasing to 100 meticais, opening of marriage proceedings, from 1010 meticais to 3000 meticais, and Criminal Record for scholarship, employment, and internship from 270 meticais to 2000 meticais, among other updates.

The Foundation for Citizenship, an active voice of civil society, took a firm stand against these increases, arguing that they were out of touch with the country's economic reality and represented a significant barrier to citizens' access to their basic rights, such as health, education, and housing.

This governmental retreat highlights the need to balance the updating of public service fees with the economic reality of citizens, in a context of considerable economic challenges. Further information is awaited on how the Government plans to reconcile these important issues.