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Chris Langridge, Notary Public
Kent — Surrey — Sussex
Kent — Surrey — Sussex

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 almost always the case that you have been asked to see a notary because you have a document that needs to be used abroad.

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.

We aim to complete the notarisation of your documentation at the appointment. If nothing else is required you will be able to take this away with you. Most appointments last no more than half an hour.

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.

We are happy to travel to your office or to your home if this is more convenient and helpful for you. An additional charge is usually made for the additional time spent away from our office.

Office hours are Monday to Friday 9am to 6pm.

Appointments outside these times may be possible during the evenings and sometimes at weekends.

When a document is notarised in the United Kingdom for use in another country, a further formality known as ‘legalisation’, ‘consularisation’ or obtaining an ‘Apostille’ may be required. Legalisation is the process by which the notary’s signature and seal are authenticated by the UK Foreign Office and sometimes the Embassy or Consulate in the UK of the country where the document is to be used. This means the original signed and notarised document has to be sent to the UK Foreign Office and/or the relevant Embassy or Consulate in the UK. Legalisation makes the signed and notarised document legally valid in another country.

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

Yes – for the protection of our clients we maintain professional indemnity insurance with cover of £1 million as well as fidelity insurance.

We aim to provide a good and efficient service to you in all cases. If you are dissatisfied in any way with our service you should let us know immediately in person, in writing or by e mail.

Our Complaints Procedure can be found here.

Documents for use overseas may often be in a foreign language. If so, we can usually notarise your signature to these documents. However, you must ensure that you understand the meaning or effect of a document or transaction and confirm this to us. We may find it necessary to insist upon a translation being provided if there is any doubt as to your understanding of the content of a particular document or documents that you wish to have notarised.

It may be possible for us to arrange a translation for you but this will have to be your cost.

A Notary Public is a specialist lawyer who holds a public office and is internationally recognised to deal with certain legal matters.

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.