Regulated by the Faculty Office of the Archbishop of Canterbury. Member of the Notaries Society.
Notarial Services for Individuals
A Notary Public can certify every kind of document you can imagine including those listed here. However please do contact me to discuss your requirements. Translations for any country in the world can be arranged.
- Power of Attorney (giving someone abroad authority to act on your behalf) e.g. for property purchase/sale; litigation; dealing with other official bodies e.g. government agencies; dealing with other assets e.g. bank accounts
- Certified copy documents e.g. birth, death and marriage certificates, copy passport pages, qualifications, documents supporting adoption applications from abroad
- Confirmation of facts e.g. declaration of no criminal convictions; declaration of no impediment to marriage etc.
- Statutory declarations
- Asset transfers e.g. shares
- Arrange legalisation
Legalisation
Legalisation is the process whereby the notary’s signature and seal are verified and confirmed by an independent authority.
For many countries, legalisation is required from the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (the FCO) which endorses documents with a certificate known as the ‘Apostille’. The FCO currently charges £27 per document for the Apostille.
Some countries require legalisation by their own Consulate in England either instead of or in addition to the Apostille. Consular fees vary enormously from as little as £1.20 to £400 depending on the type of document being legalised and the particular Consulate involved.
Once legalised, the document will usually be accepted (subject to any necessary translation) by the authorities in the destination country as evidence of the matters stated in the document.
Allowing more time for legalisation keeps the costs of legalisation down. Expedited legalisation (i.e. in 2/3 days) is possible but will add at least £30+ per document in agent’s fees to the cost of legalisation.
How to proceed
- You send me your draft document by email or fax or give an idea of the kind of document you need and confirm which country it will be sent to;
- I will determine whether there are other requirements e.g. a covering certificate or extra witnesses, confirm my fee and any disbursements e.g. legalisation fees;
- We arrange a convenient appointment prior to which I finalise the document (if it is not complete) and send it to your overseas adviser for approval if appropriate (e.g. if amendments are needed or you have not been provided with a full draft document);
- We meet so that I can check your ID (passport and evidence of address) and you sign the document;
- I arrange any necessary legalisation;
- I return the document to you or alternatively send it overseas at your request – courier or special delivery charges will apply.