Please email or call to arrange an appointment. Most appointments can be made within 24 hours.
To confirm an appointment, we will ask you to email us a scan/copy of the document(s) that need to be notarised.
We’ll also need the mobile phone number of the person(s) signing the document before the notary.
(*) The notary is available on weekends but not on public holidays.
Prices are listed per document, and we offer a discount for multiple documents.
What identification does a notary public require?
The notary must verify your ID and address at the appointment. This regulation is necessary since notaries are legally obligated to identify their clients.
Accepted IDs:
- Driving license (with photo card)
- Passport
- Armed forces pass (with signature and photo)
- Other ID issued by the government (with photo and signature)
Additionally, they require proof of residence, which can be any of the original documents below:
- Bank statement or letter from the bank
- Council tax bill or utility bill (except mobile phone bill)
- Housing Association rent card or agreement of tenancy
- A self-assessment statement or Inland Revenue tax demand
When notaries act for a corporate client, evidence of the due incorporation of the company or entity is needed.
It can be either of the following documents:
- An extract from the register of the company.
- Certificate of incorporation
- The latest report, as well as audited accounts
- or similar business documents
Furthermore, each signatory must provide one of the identification documents listed above.
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.
What does notarisation cost?
We provide our clients with a quote for the provision of services upfront.
Please enquire to get a free no, obligation quote today.
Disbursements
Disbursements are the payments you make to third parties related to your matter.
Charges such as:
- Apostille fee (Approximately £79)
- Fee payments to foreign embassies and agents for undertaking the legalisation of documents (the charges vary but will be confirmed when you reach out to us)
Courier or postage charges
Allowing us to handle the payment of disbursements on your behalf makes the process smoother. However, you must complete an advanced payment in such cases.
Payment must be in GBP and can be made by:
- A debit card or credit card
- Bank transfers
- PayPal
Electronic notarisation
We can offer clients the option of electronic notarisation (also called remote notarisation and digital notarisation).
Our notaries have adopted the required software to issue notarial certificates electronically. However, e-notarised documents have a long way to go regarding global acceptance.
Even with an increase in e-notarisation popularity, firms still have to liaise with local authorities abroad to ensure the execution of the documents according to the law and requirements of both countries.
Notary certified translations
Our notary public can provide certified translations.
A certified translation is often needed to fulfil certification requirements in a given jurisdiction. All translations are approved as accurate by an accredited translation agency. More about apostille and document translation.
Mobile notary services for London
Our notaries offer a mobile service. Mobile notaries are convenient for individuals who have difficulty travelling to a notary.
Mobile services are excellent for the elderly and people who require notaries services in groups.
For instance, family members can simplify the collective signing of documents and oaths through mobile notary services, eliminating the need to visit the office.
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.
Notarisation is typically necessary for documents to be used in a foreign country or for legal proceedings. At the same time, solicitor certification may be required for legal or highly accurate documents, such as academic transcripts.
Public records kept by a notary
A notary public will always keep the original copies of all the official documents that they generate as a permanent public record for two main reasons; to make copies when needed and to make them available for those with the proper right to see them.
Notary and other services that we cannot provide
- Criminal background check
- Medallion signature guarantee
Independence and rules
For the protection of clients, a notary is supposed to be an independent officer with no room for compromise. They must put aside their interest and bind to professional rules and standards like preventing money laundering. There is also the need for notaries to be insured against dishonesty and negligence.
Insurance
The policy of professional indemnity is the one used to ensure notarial practice.
Complaints policy
We encourage our customers to raise their concerns with us first. Note that if we cannot resolve it, the Notary Society offers a complaints resolution service. We will provide details upon the instructions.
Notary regulation
The faculty office regulates all notarial work. High standards of presentation and confidentiality are ensured. Both professional indemnity insurance and a Compensation Fund help cover the notarial practice.
Please note that we are not a notarial practice, are not regulated as such, and have no notaries working for us. We do, however, have business relationships with those notaries that we use to provide the services.
