In England and Wales, a notary is a legally qualified and regulated professional who provides independent verification for matters involving cross-border activities. Their role includes authenticating, certifying, and recording deeds, documents, and facts for use internationally.
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Notaries are authorised to issue certifications in languages other than English, provided they have sufficient competence in the relevant language.
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This function plays a vital role in bridging the gaps left by international law, serving as an essential safeguard in our increasingly globalised world.

A Notary Public’s signature and official seal are internationally recognised, giving their certifications legal credibility around the world.

Most notarial work is intended for use outside of England and Wales, supporting documents and transactions that cross international borders.

While both Notaries Public and Solicitors are qualified legal professionals in England and Wales, they perform distinct roles and serve different purposes, particularly in terms of scope, regulation, and function.
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1. Role and Scope of Work
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- Solicitors provide a wide range of legal services within the UK, including conveyancing, drafting wills, family and criminal law, civil litigation, and corporate matters. They advise and represent clients in legal proceedings and negotiations.
- Notaries focus on preparing, certifying, and authenticating documents for use overseas. Their primary function is to ensure that UK documents meet the legal standards of foreign jurisdictions.

2. Regulation

- Solicitors are regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA), which oversees their conduct and professional standards.
- Notaries are regulated by the Faculty Office of the Archbishop of Canterbury, which maintains high standards of integrity and independence in notarial work.

3. Qualifications and Training

- While many Notaries are also qualified Solicitors, becoming a Notary requires additional training, particularly in notarial practice and civil law, which underpins many international legal systems.

4. Impartiality and Duty

- Solicitors act in the best interests of their clients, advocating on their behalf and providing legal advice.
- Notaries must remain impartial and independent. As public officers, their duty is to the accuracy, legality, and international acceptability of the documents they certify.

5. Nature of Work

- Solicitors may draft legal documents, provide legal opinions, negotiate on behalf of clients, and represent them in court or other legal settings.
- Notaries witness signatures, verify identities, certify the authenticity of documents, and may arrange for legalisation (such as apostilles) for documents destined for use abroad.

6. Use of Certified Documents

- Documents certified by a Solicitor are generally intended for use within the UK legal system.
- Notarised documents are required for a wide range of international purposes, including overseas property transactions, visa applications, and foreign business or legal dealings.

A Solicitor is a legal adviser and advocate within the UK legal framework, acting in the interests of their client. A Notary Public, on the other hand, is a neutral and independent certifier whose role is to ensure that UK documents are properly authenticated and recognised in other countries.

A Notary Public can authenticate a broad range of documents for international use, including contracts, powers of attorney, affidavits, academic qualifications, and corporate records. The scope of notarial work is diverse and often depends on the specific requirements of the country where the documents will be used.

While a Notary does not provide legal advice on the content or effect of a document, they are responsible for ensuring that the person signing it has the legal capacity, understanding, and intent to do so. In most cases, the Notary must meet the individual in person, confirm their identity, and witness the signing of the document

Typical notarial services include:
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- Preparing and certifying Powers of Attorney for use abroad
- Certifying copies of documents such as passports, educational certificates, and bank statements
- Witnessing signatures on documents relating to the sale, purchase, or transfer of property overseas
- Swearing affidavits and attesting statutory declarations
- Certifying parental consent for a child to travel or obtain a passport
- Certifying and authenticating company documents
- Verifying information and documentation issued by Companies House
- Confirming corporate status and director details
- Arranging legalisation and obtaining an Apostille where required

Legalisation is the process by which the signature and seal of a Notary Public are officially verified to ensure that a document is recognised in another country.

In many cases, this involves obtaining an apostille—a certificate issued by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). The apostille confirms that the notary’s signature and seal are genuine, allowing the document to be accepted abroad in countries that are part of the Hague Convention.

Some countries, however, are not part of the Hague Convention. In these cases, further legalisation may be required by the consulate or embassy of the destination country, in addition to the apostille.

You will be asked to provide one of the following primary forms of identification:

- A current valid passport; or
- A current photocard driving licence; or
- A national identity card (for non-UK nationals).

If none of the above are available, you may be asked to provide at least two of the following secondary documents (subject to the notary's discretion):
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- A government- or police-issued certificate bearing your photograph or formal ID details
- A utility bill, bank statement, or credit card statement showing your name and current address (dated within the last 3 months)
- A current council tax bill

For Corporate Clients:
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If the notarial act involves a company or other legal entity, you will need to provide evidence of the entity’s incorporation and authority to act.
This may include:
- The Certificate of Incorporation
- An official extract from the relevant company register
- The latest annual report and/or audited accounts
Additional documents may be required depending on the nature of the transaction or the destination country.

Some notarial matters can be completed on an urgent basis, depending on the nature of the work. Most standard appointments are completed within 2 to 5 working days, though additional time may be required if the document needs legalisation (e.g. an apostille or consular legalisation).

Step-by-Step Procedure:

1. Initial Contact

Please call 07710 427874 or email rosedean.notaries@hotmail.com to discuss your requirements. When contacting us, kindly provide:
- A copy of the document(s) you need notarised
- Any instructions from the person or organisation requesting the document
- The country in which the document will be used

2. Review and Quotation

We will respond within 24 hours with a fee quote and details of any disbursements, once we have reviewed the document(s) and your instructions.

3. Appointment

A mutually convenient appointment will be arranged. Where possible, we will prepare or review the documentation in advance, unless it is already finalised.

4. Verification and Signing

At the appointment, we will:
- Verify your identity
- Ensure the document is properly executed in my presence

5. Legalisation (if required)

If legalisation is necessary, we will arrange this for you and confirm the timescale and any additional fees.

6. Completion

If no legalisation is needed and all requirements are met, you will usually be able to take the notarised document away with you on the day, subject to payment of fees.

My fees are competitive and reflect the professional time involved in reviewing, drafting, or amending documents. The overall cost will depend on several factors, including:

- The complexity of the matter
- The urgency of your request
- Whether legalisation (e.g. apostille or consular legalisation) is required
- Any necessary travel time or additional appointments

Please get in touch for a personalised quotation. I will be happy to provide a clear breakdown of fees and any likely disbursements once I have reviewed the details of your request.

Yes, appointments are required to ensure that your notarial services are completed accurately and promptly.

Absolutely! We work with businesses to notarise corporate documents, including articles of incorporation, resolutions, and more.

Preparing thoroughly in advance can help avoid delays, reduce costs, and ensure accuracy. As early as possible before your appointment, please send either the originals or clear electronic copies of the following:

- The documents to be notarised
- Any instructions or correspondence you have received relating to the documents
- Your proof of identification

No. In most cases, the Notary must witness your signature. Please do not sign any documents before the appointment, unless specifically advised otherwise.

If the name on your document differs from your current name—or if the spelling or format of your name has changed over time—please provide supporting documentation. This may include:

- Birth, marriage, or divorce certificates
- Change of name deed, deed poll, or statutory declaration