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Many people need a document notarised but are unsure what the process involves or what to expect. At Latimer Solicitors, we understand that notarial work can seem technical or unfamiliar, especially if you’ve never used a Notary Public before.
This page answers some of the most common questions we receive, helping you feel confident and prepared before your appointment.
A Notary Public is a qualified lawyer appointed by the Archbishop of Canterbury and regulated by the Court of Faculties. Their role is to verify, witness, and certify documents for use in the UK or abroad.
Notaries ensure that your signature, identity, and the content of documents are genuine and accurate. Once notarised, your document carries legal weight internationally.
While both are legal professionals, notaries specialise in authenticating documents for international use.
A solicitor’s certification is generally only recognised within the UK, whereas a notary’s signature and seal are recognised by foreign governments, courts, and institutions worldwide.
We can notarise almost any legal or official document, including:
Our notary will confirm what level of certification is required for your specific document.
An apostille is an official certificate issued by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) confirming the authenticity of a notary’s signature and seal.
If the country where your document will be used is part of the Hague Convention, you’ll usually need an apostille. For countries outside the convention, further embassy legalisation may be required. We can handle this process for you.
Our fees are based on the time spent on your matter and the complexity of the documents involved. We’ll always provide a clear estimate before your appointment based on the information you provide.
Payment is made upon completion of the notarisation, and a copy of our full terms and conditions is available on request.
There is no VAT payable on notarial fees.
To comply with the Money Laundering Regulations 2007, all clients must provide proof of identity and address.
You’ll need:
If we are acting for a company, we’ll also require evidence of your authority to sign on its behalf. Our notary will confirm exactly what you need before your appointment.
If your document is written in a foreign language, the notary must be satisfied that you fully understand it.
We can arrange for certified translations into or from English where necessary, ensuring the document meets the requirements of the receiving country.
Notarial work requires a high standard of care, as it is relied upon by clients, third parties, and foreign authorities.
Our notary’s responsibility is limited to ensuring the notarial formalities are correctly carried out. It does not extend to providing advice on, or drafting, the content of the underlying document unless specifically agreed in writing.
We maintain strict standards to protect against error, omission, alteration, fraud, and forgery, giving you complete confidence in the documents we certify.
Most straightforward notarisation appointments can be completed in one visit.
If your document also requires apostille or embassy legalisation, this will take additional time depending on the destination country’s requirements. We’ll provide clear time estimates before we begin.
We take pride in providing practical, plain-English advice to make every notarial process simple and stress-free.