Answering your questions
Some of the questions we are asked most often.
If you cannot find the answer to your question, please call us on 07971 149 310 and we will be happy to help.
It is likely that the law or practice of the overseas country will only recognise the document as valid if a notary public is involved to certify your identity and signature and/or and authenticate the document (under their signature and seal of office).
Seeing a notary is never just a rubber-stamping exercise. The international duty of a notary involves a high standard of care. This is not only towards you as the client but also to anyone who may rely on the document and to Governments or officials of other countries.
These people are entitled to assume that a notary will ensure full compliance with the relevant requirements both in the UK and abroad.
Great care is essential at every stage to minimise the risks of errors, omissions, alterations, fraud, forgery, money laundering, the use of false identity, etc.
If legalisation e.g. for an Apostille is required then after the appointment the documentation will need to be sent off to the Foreign Office and or/an Embassy and we can advise on the likely timescale involved.
Appointments outside these times may be possible during the evenings and sometimes at weekends.
Identification
A notary is required to check the identity of clients and to retain a copy of the ID they produce. Please ensure you bring to the appointment:
- 1 original document with your photo proving your identity (such as your current passport or photo driving licence); and
- 1 original document showing your current address which is less than three months old (such as a utility bill or bank statement).
- For companies in addition to the above, we will also need to identify the company and the authority given to each signatory to sign the specific documentation (such as a board resolution).
Document and signing
To enable us to advise you correctly and ensure any relevant procedures are followed it is helpful if you can email us a copy of the documentation and any specific instructions you have received before we meet.
Please bring the original documentation to be signed and notarised having first checked it and ensure you understand its contents.
For notarised certified copies the original documents must be produced.
Please do not sign the document in advance of your appointment with us as the notary will need to see you sign.
Fixed fees
Wherever possible we give a fixed price although this is not always possible due to the variable nature of what is needed.
Estimate
If it is not possible to provide you with a fixed fee then we can provide you with our best estimate of the likely charges.
Terms of business
Please read our terms of business which set out the basis on which we act for you.
Third party costs
In addition to our fees, you are responsible for reimbursing any expenses, charges and fees we have to pay to others on your behalf. These include, for example, legalisation charges to the UK Foreign Office, Embassies and Consulates. If you would like documents to be sent by courier or special, recorded or other guaranteed delivery then we can arrange this and invoice you for the costs incurred.
VAT
We are not registered for VAT.
Payment
- Most debit and credit cards
- BACS transfer
- Cash
It may be possible for us to arrange a translation for you but this will have to be your cost.
Notaries are a separate legal profession from solicitors and barristers and are a member of the oldest legal profession in the United Kingdom.
Notaries are appointed by the Court of Faculties of the Archbishop of Canterbury and are subject to regulation by the Master of the Faculties.
The main role of a Notary for private clients is the witnessing of signatures to documents, and preparing and certifying copies of documents for use abroad.
For business clients, as well as the above, a Notary verifies, authenticates and records deeds, documents and facts for cross-border transactions, performing a vital function in international trade and business.
Often documents may have been prepared by a foreign lawyer for signature in the UK in front of a Notary Public.
Notarised documents may then be used outside the UK.