Notary Public in Canary Wharf, City of London & Central London

Notarial Services

It is almost always the case that you have been asked to see a Notary because you have a document that needs to be used abroad. Seeing a notary is never a mere rubber-stamping exercise. The international duty of a Notary involves a high standard of care. This is not only towards the client but also to anyone who may rely on the document and to Governments or officials of other countries. These people are entitled to assume that a Notary will ensure full compliance with the relevant requirements both here and abroad; and to rely on the Notary’s register and records. Great care is essential at every stage to minimise the risks of errors, omissions, alterations, fraud, forgery, money laundering, the use of false identity, and so on

Notarisation

As a notary I can provide authentication and a secure record for almost any sort of transaction, document or event. This includes providing a service for commercial companies engaged in international trade, and for private individuals. The most common tasks include:

• Verification of Identification Documents
• Verification of Educational Awards
• Visa and Passport Application Certifications
• Affidavits and Declarations
• Travel Consent Documents
• Authenticating company and business documents and transactions or providing certificates as to the status of a company or the identity of its directors.
• Preparing and authenticating documents such as powers of attorney for use overseas
• Dealing with purchase or sale of land and property abroad
• Authenticating personal documents and information for immigration or emigration purposes
• Authenticating personal documents to apply to marry
• Authenticating personal documents to apply to work abroad
• Certification of verified facts such as the status of a Company, the directors of a Company, that a degree certificate is genuine and awarded by the issuing academic authority
• Certifying a copy  document (such as a passport copy) as a true and accurate copy of the original

Timescales

If the document is straightforward, already prepared and in the correct form it is likely that a notarial appointment will last no more than 20 - 40 minutes and the notarial act could be completed in approximately 30 minutes. If the document is not straightforward, or I am required to draw up the document, notarial certificate or make a proper copy, then the appointment will take longer. The time will depend on the complexity of the matter. An indication of the time will be given when making an appointment but an accurate assessment of the time required can only be given when I see what the document is and what is required.

Typical Stages of a notarial transaction

Each notarial matter is different and the requirements will vary according to whether the client is a private individual or a company. Some of the typical key stages are likely to include:

• Receiving and reviewing the documents to be notarised together with any instructions you may have received
• Liaising with your legal advisors or other bodies to obtain the necessary documentation to deal with the document (e.g. information from Companies House or foreign registries, powers of attorney etc).
• Checking the identity, capacity and authority of the person who is to sign the document.
• If a document is to be certified, checking with the issuing authorities that the document/award is genuine. In the case of academic awards, this would entail checking with the appropriate academic institutions.
• Meeting with the signatory to verify their identity and to ascertain that they understand what they are signing and that they are doing so of their own free will and ensuring that the document is executed correctly.
• Drafting and affixing or endorsing a notarial certificate to the document.
• Arranging for the legalisation of the document as appropriate.
• Arranging for the storage of copies of all notarised documents in accordance with the requirements of the Notarial Practice Rules 2019.

Apostille and Legalisation

Please be aware that some countries want documents that are to be used in their country to be legalised and countersigned by their UK Embassy or Consulate and this may take up to several days. Before a notarised document is taken to an Embassy or Consulate it will need to be taken to the Foreign and Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) where they will certify that the Notary is an English Notary by attaching an Apostille Certificate to the document.

I can arrange both the Apostille at the FCDO and also the legalisation at the foreign Embassy or Consulate, but there will be additional time delays and costs for this service. The costs vary per country and depending on whether a standard or premium services is used. I am happy to advise you of these costs if legalisation at the Embassy or Consulate is required.

You can if you desire, arrange for the legalisation process with the FCDO and the Embassy or Consulate yourself. The FCDO and many embassies have detailed legalisation sections on their website detailing the process and costs.

Please contact me for further details on the legalisation services and/or if you would like my assistance with this.

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Areas served for Notarial work

I serve clients throughout Central London, the City of London, Canary Wharf and the West End of London

In addition to clients coming to see me for an appointment, I also provide a mobile notary service where I visit client's at their home or corporate office and I am available after normal business hours and on Saturday by prior appointment.

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