Notary Services and FAQ

This page outlines what a Notary Public does and the services that I offer, as well as answering some common questions.
Please be aware that we do NOT normally prepare documents for use abroad, this is done by the foreign lawyer, our job is to notarise them.

To obtain a quotation or to arrange an appointment, please contact us.

For an idea of prices see the pricing page.

Click on a link below for more information.

What is a Notary Public and what do they do?
Services for Businesses
Services for Individuals
Foreign Language Documents
Do I need Legalisation or Apostille (Hague Convention)?
What identification does a Notary Public require?

What is a Notary Public and what do they do?

A Notary Public is a highly specialist lawyer who deals with documents for use in foreign countries. A Notary’s signature and seal are recognised worldwide. If you require a document to be accepted as authentic in a foreign country you may need a Notary Public to notarise that document.

It is never just a question of simply witnessing your signature, a Notary is required to:

check your identity
check your capacity to sign
check your understanding of the document
check your authority to sign (especially if signing for a company)
check you are not under duress to sign
deal with any language issues if not in English
verify any documents that have to be certified as true copies
in most cases, keep a permanent record of the notarisation

Our fees will reflect the work that has to be done in this regard.

Notary Services for Businesses

We can provide the following services for businesses:

Notarising the execution of Powers of Attorney on behalf of a company, LLP or other trading medium
Notarising certificates of Incorporation, Memorandum and Articles of Association for UK or Foreign Companies
Company Certificates of Good Standing
Providing Certified Copies of Company Resolutions, Minutes, Reports and other Company Documents
Certified copies of company resolutions, minutes and reports
Certification of the identity of Directors, Company Secretaries or other company officers
International Affidavits, Statutory Declarations, Sworn Statements & Depositions
Notarising the Execution of Commercial Contracts
Authenticating Documents to assist in the opening of Corporate Branch offices or Bank Accounts outside of the United Kingdom
Notarising Commercial Mortgages for International Finance
Providing Certificates to authenticate Intellectual Property Rights
Notarising Statements in Support of Copyright Infringements
Apostille and legalisation service
Witnessing a power of attorney
Notarisation of company documents
Share issues certified by a notary public
Property transactions, transfers, purchases, sales
Any other documents for abroad, which require a notary public stamp

Notary Services for Individuals

We can notarise a variety documents for individuals, subject to verifying their validity, although generally we do NOT prepare them, this is up to the lawyer in the receiving country. The type of documents would include such things as:

Certified copies of passports
Power of attorney
Certified copies of documents such as exam certificates
Transfers of land, houses, shares
Statutory declarations
Declarations of single status when getting married
Oaths
Permission to travel with children
Foreign Adoption Applications
Certificates as to Residency
Immigration Sponsorship Forms
Overseas Car Purchases/Sales
Surrendering of Nationality
Birth, death & marriage certificates (but see certifying official documents)
Decree Absolutes
Wills
Lasting Powers of Attorney
Change of Name Deeds
Other documents for abroad which require a notary public stamp

Foreign Language Documents

If you have a document that is currently in a foreign language it may be necessary to get an official translation of that document into English. A Notary can advise you on whether this is required and also help you to obtain a translation which can be certified as authentic.

Do I need Legalisation or Apostille?

Certain countries may also require the additional step of the document being Legalised. This is a process whereby the Foreign and Commonwealth Office confirm the validity of the Notary’s signature and seal. Once this check has been carried out a certificate called an ‘Apostille’ is attached to the notarised document.
The need for Legalisation depends on the country involved and your Notary can advise you on this.

Notaries are also available in

What identification does a Notary Public require?

Following the implementation of the Money Laundering Regulations 2007, notaries are now obliged to keep sufficient evidence on their files of the identity and the address of all their clients before they undertake any work.

Each person whose signature they are to certify must provide one of the following original identification documents at the time of the appointment.

Passport
Driving licence (with photo card)
National identity card (EEA state members)
An armed forces pass (with photo and signature)
Firearms licence (with photo and signature)
Other government issue ID (with photo and signature)
Residence permit

In addition, they require proof of residence, which can be one of the following original documents:

Bank statement or letter from bank
Utility bill or council tax bill (not mobile phone bill)
Tenancy agreement or Housing Association rent card
Inland revenue tax demand or self assessment statement

When a Notary Public is acting for a corporate client, evidence of the due incorporation of the company or entity is required. This can be one of the following documents:

Extract from the company register
Certificate of incorporation
Latest report and audited accounts
Up to date certified copy of partnership agreement
Evidence of being regulated by a regulatory body such as the Law Society or FSA.

In addition to the above, each individual signatory will need to produce one of the identification documents mentioned above.

Please visit the contact page to obtain a quotation.