Notarial Services
Most people need the services of a Notary Public to witness documents they have received from overseas, for example, documents relating to the sale or purchase of property abroad or to legal proceedings in foreign courts. Others may need a Notary Public to prepare a certificate as to the authenticity of a copy of a document (such as a passport or marriage certificate) or as to the due execution of a deed for use in a foreign jurisdiction.
For the purposes of witnessing a document, I must be satisfied as to the identity of the person signing, which means that I require evidence of identity, such as a current valid passport and a recent Council Tax or utility bill as confirmation of address. I must also see the person sign, so documents should not be signed in advance.
I must be satisfied that the person signing understands the document, especially if it is not in English. If I am to certify a copy of a document, I must see the original.
I can read and understand French and have a basic knowledge of Spanish, so can assist in translating the text of any document in those languages. However, I cannot advise on the legal content, which is the responsibility of the person who prepared it.
Legalisation
Some foreign jurisdictions require documents which I have signed to be legalised (counter-signed) at their embassy or consulate. When the country concerned is a signatory to the Hague Convention, legalisation is carried out at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in London which affixes a certificate known as an apostille. Legalisation simply means confirmation that the signature and seal or stamp on a document are genuine. I can arrange legalisation through the post but in urgent cases it may be necessary for clients to attend at the embassy and/or Foreign and Commonwealth Office in person. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office's current charge for an apostille is £27 per document and the Legalisation Office is at:
Old Admiralty Building,
The Mall,
London SW1A 2LG
Telephone 0207 008 1111
Charges made by embassies and their opening hours vary substantially and can be ascertained upon enquiry.
Cost
The cost of notarisation depends upon the time spent. Usually, I estimate a minimum of £80 plus Value Added Tax (and any legalisation fees) in cases where the document is straightforward and notarisation takes no more than around 20 minutes, but charges will be higher if notarisation takes longer or if, for example, a special certificate has to be prepared. I will always try to give a best estimate to enquirers and in some cases may ask for document(s) to be sent to me in advance of an appointment for this purpose.