How long does notarisation take?

An appointment will take about 20 minutes assuming the documents are straightforward, already prepared, and in the appropriate form. The time taken when the document is not straightforward will depend on the complexity of the matter.

Do I need a notary public or solicitor?

In the UK, notarisation, and solicitor certification are distinct procedures for different purposes. Notarisation involves a notary public verifying the identity of the signatory and attesting to the authenticity of the document using their seal or stamp. On the other hand, solicitor certification involves a solicitor providing a stamp and signature that attests to the document’s accuracy (true copy). The requirements for notarisation and solicitor certification depend on the document type and legal context.

What is a notary public?

In England and Wales, a notary public is a qualified lawyer. A public officer has the legal authority to confirm that documents are truthful or correctly signed.

Will I need to attend an appointment in person?

Only a few documents can be notarised remotely in England and Wales. Remote notarisation depends on the type of documents to be notarised, whether the country where the documents will be used accepts remote notarised documents, and whether the notary is compliant with notarial practice rules and guidance on remote notarisation.

How is a document notarised?

It involves three steps. It begins with reviewing the presented documents, then the legalisation of the document, and finally, the authentication of the legalised document.

Do I need to sign in the presence of a notary?

For most documents, yes, you need to sign in the notary’s presence, and indeed, if it is the first time, your ID must be verified. The notary must witness your signature.

What is a notary public signature?

A notary public signature is a notarised signature that relates to a document requiring authentication. A notary seal is a signature. The signed name applied to the document. A rubber stamp and an embossing seal can also be used in addition to the signature.

Fast London Notary Public Service - Office & Mobile Service

Need fast and easy document notarisation in London? Our services include mobile appointments, evening and weekend availability, and transparent pricing.

Because your time is valuable, we offer swift turnaround and short-notice appointments for urgent needs.

What we notarise

With the help of our notary partners, we provide comprehensive notary services for your personal and business documents for domestic and international use.

Our notaries manage their own offices, conveniently located within a 15-minute walk from our office, ensuring greater flexibility and faster appointment availability.

Some of our most frequently notarised documents include:

Powers of attorney
Affidavits, oaths, & declarations
Passports & educational certificates
Company documents
Indian high commission documents (OCI & PIO cards)
Certificates of life/existence
Name change deeds
And many more!

We also offer notarisation services for certified translations.

Book your appointment: 3 easy steps

1
Contact us with the document type, your location, and urgency.
2
Send scans of the document, your passport, and proof of address.
3
Receive your quote, pay online, and schedule your appointment.

Enquire about notary services

Pricing & costs

We provide our clients with a quote upfront for the provision of services.

In-person notarisation

Personal documents from £136
Business documents from £156

Mobile notary services

Starting from £136
+ Travel fees: £25 per mile

Remote video notarisation

Starting from £136

E-notarisations

Starting from £136

Notarisation & apostille service

Starting from £210

Courier or postage charges

DHL UK from £20
Royal Mail from £12

Payment methods

Debit or credit card
Bank transfers
PayPal

Prices are listed per document; discounts may be available for multiple documents. Full payment is required before your appointment.

Make an appointment now

How to prepare for your appointment

Before your appointment: To save time and avoid delays, please email clear scans of the following for each signer:

Document requiring notarisation
Valid passport
UK proof of address (issued within the past 3 months)

Appointment time: Standard appointments are about 20 minutes. If your documents are complex, please let us know in advance so we can schedule accordingly.

After your in-person appointment: If you attend the notary’s office in person, you can leave your documents at the notary’s office. We collect documents daily to be processed for legalisation.

Notarisation types

In-person: Visit the London office for traditional notarisation.
Remote video: Secure notarisation from anywhere via video conferencing.
E-notarisation: Email your PDF or original document, we take care of the rest.
Mobile notary: We come to you – home, office, or other convenient location in London.
Weekend/out-of-hours: Evening and weekend appointments available for urgent needs.

FAQs

Does the notary draft documents?

While there are some exceptions, UK notaries public generally should not draft legal documents for clients.

Here’s why:

Maintaining impartiality: Notaries are required to be impartial witnesses when signing documents. Drafting a document creates a potential conflict of interest, as the notary could be perceived as advocating for a particular party.

Preventing unauthorised practice of law: Drafting complex legal documents requires specialised legal knowledge and training that notaries may not possess. Providing legal advice without proper qualifications is considered an unauthorised practice of law, which is illegal in the UK.

Protecting the client: It’s in the client’s best interest to have legal documents professionally drafted by a qualified solicitor who can ensure the document accurately reflects their intent and protects their interests.

Exceptions

There are limited situations where a UK notary might assist with document preparation:

Simple documents: Notaries may help draft simple documents with standardised forms and little need for legal interpretation (e.g., some affidavits and statutory declarations).

Translation: If a notary is fluent in multiple languages, they may help translate existing documents but not provide legal advice on their content.

Recommendation

We recommend consulting a solicitor to draft complex or legally sensitive documents. Notaries can notarise these documents, but their role is to verify signatures and ensure proper execution, not to provide legal counsel.

Can a document be bilingual?

Yes, a document can be bilingual to be notarised in the UK.

However, there are a few essential considerations to ensure the process goes smoothly:

Notary’s competence: While the notary may not necessarily need to be fluent in both languages of a bilingual document, they must be able to ensure the document’s validity for notarisation. This can be achieved through:

Client-provided verification: The client can provide a verified translation of the document by a qualified and recognised translator. The notary can then rely on this verified translation to understand the nature of the document and the signer’s intent.

Notary-appointed verification: Some notary practices may have established relationships with qualified translators. In such cases, the notary might work with the translator to verify the document and ensure its suitability for notarisation.

Key Points:

The notary’s primary concern is witnessing signatures and ensuring the document is executed correctly. Understanding the full legal nuances of the document may not be strictly required.

However, the notary must verify the document’s content and the signers’ comprehension, which can be achieved through verified translations.

Additional considerations:

If the document is intended for use in a foreign country, that country’s laws might have specific requirements regarding bilingual papers and translations. It’s always best to check the particular requirements with the relevant authorities.

What is your cancellation policy?

Once an appointment has been confirmed, please ensure you can keep to the agreed time.

We understand that unexpected things come up, and we’re flexible when possible! However, to ensure everyone gets the needed time, we kindly ask that you reschedule appointments at least 24 hours in advance.

If you miss or cancel your appointment with less than 24 hours’ notice, a fee of £96 may apply. This helps us cover the reserved time and assist other clients in need.

Of course, if something unavoidable prevents you from making it, please let us know as soon as possible. We’re happy to reschedule your appointment for a time that works better for you.

By respecting our scheduling policy, you help us maintain the high-quality service you deserve.

Notary public service in London.