There has been a Notary Public service in northern Europe since the mid-1200s. A tariff for Notary Public attestations and protests was fixed in 1661, but the function had already been mentioned previously in legislation. A charter was granted by King Oscar II in 1882 regulating the activities of Notaries Public. At that time, the main emphasis was on protests on bills of exchange. Changes have been made since then and new statutes and ordinances issued. The most recent act was passed in 1981.