Protest of a check or bill of exchange
A protest is the notarial act in which the notary formally records that a check, a bill of exchange or a promissory note was not paid or accepted when presented. It's a requirement to preserve your collection rights against the debtor and the other parties liable. It has a strict deadline.
Requesting a quote doesn't commit you to anything
- You tell us about your case. It's free.
- We send you the price in writing, within 1 to 3 hours.
- You decide. If it works for you, we start. If not, you delete it with one click and pay nothing.
No one will pressure you. Your information is used only for your case.
Is it for you?
If any of these sounds like you, this procedure is for you.
- For anyone holding a check, a bill of exchange or a promissory note that wasn't paid or accepted, who needs a formal record of that non-payment to preserve the right to collect through legal channels
What's included and what isn't
Everything clear from the start. No fine print.
Includes
- Verification of the legal deadline that applies to you.
- Review of the instrument.
- Preparation of the protest record.
- Coordination with the notary office.
- Carrying out the protest before the notary.
- Delivery of the protest record.
Does not include
- The collection lawsuit or court representation, which is the next step with your lawyer.
- Negotiating payment with the debtor.
- The official notary fee, which is paid separately.
Add to your procedure
Check it and we include it in your quote. You decide at the end.
What you need
Check off what you already have. You don't need everything to request your quote.
You have 0 of 5.
- The original check, bill of exchange or promissory note
- The bank's notice that the check was returned, if you have it
- Your cédula (Venezuelan ID card)
- And the exact date it was presented for payment, so we can check the deadline
- The sooner you bring it to us, the better
How the process works
You do very little. We take care of the rest. The whole process: on average, 1 to 3 business days.
- Step 1
You bring us the instrument
You bring us the check or the bill and tell us when it was presented for payment.
You do this - Step 2
We check the deadline
We immediately check which deadline you're in, because a protest has a legal time limit.
We do this - Step 3
We carry out the protest
We prepare the record and the notary carries out the protest.
We do this - Result
Done
We hand you the protest record so your lawyer can start collection proceedings.
You receive it
From the moment you hand us the instrument. We act urgently, because a protest has a legal deadline; don't put it off, because once the deadline passes, you lose collection rights.
What it costs and how to pay
There are two separate payments, and we want you to see them clearly.
Our fee: we do all the work for you.
The official notary fee. It goes straight to the agency, and we give you the exact amount, with its receipt, before you pay anything.
How you pay: You pay once, when we start. In dollars, in bolívares at the official BCV exchange rate, or with Cashea.
How is your investment calculated?
Your investment has two parts, and we always tell you about each one separately. Our base professional fee, from $70, for checking the deadline, preparing the record and carrying out the protest with the urgency it requires
The official notary fee, a fixed amount for the act plus an amount per page. That fee is paid in bolívares at the official BCV (Central Bank of Venezuela) exchange rate on the day of signing Your lawyer gives you the exact figure before you pay anything, no strings attached.
FAQ
What happens if my check bounces and I don't protest it in time?
You can lose the right to collect from endorsers and guarantors, and be left with a claim only against the signer. The deadline is short and unforgiving.
What is a protest for?
To preserve your right to sue for payment against the signer, endorsers and guarantors.
How much does it cost?
The professional fee, from $70, covers the urgent handling of the protest; the official fee depends on the number of pages, and we give you the exact amount beforehand. The collection lawsuit is the next step, with your lawyer.
Does the protest get my money back?
No; it's the formal prerequisite for collecting through legal channels.
Does it work for both checks and bills of exchange?
Yes, and for promissory notes too.
About this procedure
When a check, a bill of exchange or a promissory note goes unpaid, commercial law requires a formal step before you can collect through legal channels: the protest. At your request, the notary makes an authentic record that the instrument was presented for payment and wasn't paid, or wasn't accepted, with the exact date. That act preserves your rights under the instrument, meaning your right to sue not only the person who signed it, but also the endorsers and guarantors. The critical thing here is time: a protest has short legal deadlines, and if you miss them, you can lose the right to claim against some of the parties liable. That's why this procedure is handled urgently. We check right away which deadline you're in, prepare the record, coordinate with the notary office and carry out the protest before the notary. We hand you the protest record, which is the piece your lawyer uses to build the collection case.
Legal framework and important notes
Ley de Registros y Notarías (Registries and Notaries Law) · Código Civil (Civil Code) · Código de Comercio (Commercial Code)
- The most important thing about a protest is time. It's an act with a strict legal deadline
- If you have an unpaid check or bill, don't let it sit, because every day counts and once the deadline passes, you lose collection rights
- Bring it to us as soon as possible and we'll check right away where you stand
We guarantee our service, not what the agency decides. If something depends on them, we tell you clearly and in time.
Is your case different?Ask us, message us on WhatsApp or book a free consultation. A real person answers you.