Notarisation
SERVICE OVERVIEW
What is notarisation
Notaries are specialist lawyers who, in England and Wales, are appointed and regulated through the Faculty Office of the Archbishop of Canterbury. The Notarisation involves an impartial notary public performing identification and due diligence, witnessing signatures, and preparing a notarial certificate. The notary records the event in a formal register and authenticates the document for legal use, often for international acceptance.
Documents required for a notarisation appointment*
A valid current passport or any other government issued photographic identity documents.
Recent utility bills not older than three months for Proof of address documents.
*Notes: If you use your UK driving licence as an ID document you must provide a secondary form of proof of address document.
Data protection
Like many other organisations or individual professionals, notaries in the UK are required to register with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) since they process personal and sensitive information in the course of their professional duties, making them “data controllers” under the Data Protection Act 2018 and the UK GDPR. Our registration number is ZB910022.
Records
Under the Notaries Practice Rules 2019, we are required to keep the original or a complete photographic copy of the same be preserved permanently or a minimum period of twelve years and for the avoidance of doubt such preservation may be by means of a suitable digital or other electronic system providing for the storage of documents in an indelible and unalterable format.
Scenarios when notarisation is required
International Transactions & Business
Buying, selling, or managing property overseas requires notarised deeds, transfer documents, or powers of attorney.
Entering agreements with foreign companies frequently necessitates notarised signatures, board resolutions, or minutes of meetings to ensure they are binding in that jurisdiction.
Setting up branches or subsidiaries overseas often requires notarising foundational documents (e.g., Memorandum and Articles of Association).
Registering trademarks or patents in other countries.
Personal Matters and Documentation
Supporting documents for visas, residency applications, or employment in another country, including notarising passport copies or criminal record checks.
Certifying academic qualifications, degrees, and transcripts for use at foreign universities or employers.
Sworn affidavits or statutory declarations declaring you are single and free to marry.
Documentation related to international adoption.
Certifying documents for foreign recognition.
A notarised letter of consent from parents or guardians is often required when a child is traveling abroad with one parent, grandparents, or school groups.
“Proof of life” documents for receiving foreign pensions, or managing foreign assets in a will.