London Notary Public – FAQs

• Do I need to make an appointment?

  It is advisable as the Notary Public may not be available when you call. Often he is able to see Notary clients at short notice or even visit their offices (however this incurs additional notarial fees).

• Does the Notary need to see the document before the appointment?

  Although not imperative it is advisable for the Notary to see the document to see exactly what is required. Sometimes documents provide for a number of witnesses or for the Notary to give a certificate e.g. as to the status of the person signing on behalf of a company. It also enables the Notary to give a more precise estimate of the Notary’s fees.

• Do I need to bring anything with me in addition to the document?

  On your first visit to see the Notary Public you will need to bring your passport and evidence of your home address e.g. a recent utility bill or bank statement. This will not be necessary on subsequent visits to the notary offices provided your passport has not been renewed or expired and you have not changed address.

• How long will the appointment take?

  Rarely less than 15 minutes for a straightforward notary matter and longer where it is complicated or multiple documents are involved.

• Will the Notary come to my office?

  Yes, but the notary fee will be calculated on a time basis. We will be pleased to give you a quotation.

• What will it cost?

  Please click here to see the scale of charges which covers the most common notarial services provided. These may not apply if the notary matter is particularly complicated or takes longer than usual. Specific estimates will be provided on request.

• My document says it should be sworn before a Commissioner for Oaths; how do I do this?

  A Notary Public is a Commissioner for Oaths and can therefore deal with any documents which require witnessing by a Commissioner for Oaths. For further information please refer to the news section of this site.

• How do I know if notarisation is required?

  Most documents show on the face of the document if they need to be signed in the presence of a Notary. It is usually the person who will use the document abroad, e.g. the person being appointed as your attorney or the other party to the contract, who specifies what they require. If you are in any doubt you should ask them or ask the Notary to make enquires on your behalf to determine if notarisation is required.

• Do documents for use in North America need to be notarised?

  Many documents from North America do not need to be notarised even if they say notarisation is required on the face of the document! You should enquire of the person who sent you the document to see if they will accept a solicitor as a witness.

• When is legalisation by the Foreign Office (an Apostille) needed?

  A rule of thumb is that documents for use in countries that are or were formerly part of the British Commonwealth do not need an Apostille. For other countries it is best to check. A Notary can confirm the position on request.

• When is legalisation by a Consulate needed?

  This will usually be stated by the party requiring notarisation, but if you are unclear the Notary will be pleased to advise you.

• What is required for my degree certificate to be notarised?

  You will need to send in a copy of your certificate. The Notary will then validate this with the issuing authority and inform you when this has been done so that you can bring or send the certificate in to be notarised. The issuing authority may ask you to give your consent to them validating the certificate.

• How do I get my document translated and the translation certified?

  The notary can arrange this for you.