Youtube

notary@notary.uk.com

+ 44 (0) 7408 870 000

FAQ

Your Questions Answered

If your question is not covered by this FAQ page, please contact us for more guidance and assistance.

Do I need to make an appointment to see a Notary?

Yes. It is advisable as I may not be available when you call. Often I am able to see clients at short notice or even visit their offices (however this incurs an additional fee).

Although not imperative it is advisable for me to see the document to see exactly what is required. Sometimes documents provide for a number of witnesses or for me to give a notarial certificate e.g. as to the status of the person signing on behalf of a company. It also enables me to give a more precise estimate of my fees.
On your first visit you will need to bring your passport and evidence of your home address e.g. a recent utility bill or bank statement, that has your name and address on it and dated within the last 3 months. This will not be necessary on subsequent visits provided your passport has not been renewed or expired and you have not changed address.
For a straightforward matter this will take 20-40 minutes but it will take longer where it is complicated or multiple documents are involved.
Yes, this can be arranged, depending on the service required and complexity of the matter. Please call us to discuss an office visit. Depending on where your office is there may be an additional disbursement charge for time incurred and travel expenses.
This will depend on what needs to be done and the number of documents. My fees are based on a per document basis and the level of the fee is dependent on a number of factors e.g. complexity of the matter, urgency of the matter, whether the document is prepared or I need to assist with preparing it. Please contact me for my current schedule of fees or submit a quote request. Specific estimates will be provided on request and at the time of making an appointment.
Most solicitors can act as Commissioners for Oaths and can provide this service to you for a nominal fee. It is not necessary to see a Notary.
Most documents will state on the face of the document if they need to be signed in the presence of a Notary. It is usually the person who will use the document abroad, e.g. the person being appointed as your attorney or the other party to the contract, who specifies what they require. If you are in any doubt you should ask them or ask the Notary to make enquires on your behalf to determine if notarisation is required. A good rule of thumb is that if a document is to be sent abroad, it will likely need to be notarised first.

This is the act by a Notary of certifying a signature or issuing a certificate authenticating the document, where that documet is to be used abroad. There is no statutory restriction on what a Notary is allowed to attest to, however, there are practice rules and conventions that are adhered to.

Many documents from North America do not need to be notarised even if they say notarisation is required on the face of the document! You should enquire of the person who sent you the document to see if they will accept a solicitor as a witness.
This varies from country to country. Generally, an apostille is an official certificate issued by the Foreign Commonwealth & Development Office that authenticates the Notary’s signature, seal, or stamp on a document for use in another country. It verifies document legitimacy under the Hague Convention, allowing it to be accepted in foreign countries that are part of the Hague Convention. I can confirm the position on request.
This will usually be stated by the party requiring notarisation, but if you are unsure I will be pleased to make enquiries and advise you.
You will need to send in a copy of your certificate. I will then validate this with the issuing authority and inform you when this has been done so that you can bring or send the certificate in to be notarised. The issuing authority may ask you to give your consent to them validating the certificate. This consent must be given in writing and provided to the notary at the time of the initial appointment. I will provide you with the consent form to complete and sign.