NOTARY PUBLIC NORTH WEST LONDON
Sharon Stone
Contact Me
Telephone:
Email:
Address:
25 Dorset Drive
Edgware
Middlesex
HA8 7NT
Notary Public Frequently Asked Questions
What is the role of a Notary Public?
A Notary Public is a specialist lawyer who is a Public Officer, specially authorised to witness, certify and record facts and documents, mainly for use abroad. A Notary may draft documentation where required. The Notary’s signature and official seal assures authorities in other countries that the relevant checks and requirements have been complied with.
For example, when buying or selling a property abroad you may need to give your overseas lawyer power to deal with the purchase or sale. A Notary Public can oversee you signing a Power of Attorney and then notarise this document to ensure that it is accepted in the destination country.
Notaries adopt a high standard of care both towards their clients and to those relying on the document abroad, including foreign Governments or officials. This is designed to minimise the risk of errors, omissions or alterations as well as fraud, forgery, money laundering or the use of false identity.
A key aspect of a Notary’s role is to maintain and keep records of the documents notarised and the identity taken, in accordance with the requirements of the Notarial Practice Rules.
Documents in a Foreign Language
If you have a document drawn in a foreign language it may be necessary to obtain an official translation of that document into English. A Notary can advise you on whether this is required and also help you to obtain a translation which can be certified as authentic.
What is an Apostille or Legalisation and do I need this?
Certain countries may also require the additional step of 'legalising' the document. ‘Legalisation’ provides confirmation to the recipient that the signature and seal of the Notary are authentic. This process involves sending the document to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office who attach a certificate called an ‘Apostille’ to the notarised document confirming the Notary's signature and seal. For some countries, Consular or Embassy certification may also be required.
If Legalisation is required by the recipient of your document(s), I can advise you on the process and the cost, and can arrange this for you.
What identification is required when seeing a Notary Public?
To comply with money laundering regulations a Notary must confirm your identity. When attending an appointment with a Notary each person signing the document must provide at least one of the following unexpired documents:
- Valid passport
- Driving Licence Card, including photo
- National Identity Card
- Any other official government issue ID card (with photo and signature)
- Residence permit (where relevant)
You must also provide proof of your residential address by one of the following:Bank statement or letter from bank not more than 3 months old
- Bank statement or letter from bank not more than 3 months old
- Utility bill (not a mobile phone bill) not more than 3 months old or current Council Tax Bill
- Tenancy agreement or Housing Association rent card for your current address
- Inland Revenue tax demand or self-assessment statement
In addition, please bring any other means of ID which is referred to in the papers requiring notarisation, such as a foreign Identity Card or Tax Card. I may also ask to see further evidence of your identity such as marriage certificates etc.
Proof of names: where the name on the document is different from the name you currently use, or there has been a variation in the form of spelling of the name over the years, please provide me, as appropriate, with Certificates of Birth, Marriage or Divorce Decree of Change of Name Deed, showing all the different names that you use.
If you are acting on behalf of a UK Corporation, the Notary will check the due incorporation and good standing of the company and confirm its directors. If the company has more than one director, board minutes will be required to authorise the signatories to sign the document(s) in question and have them notarised.
For a non-UK Corporation, one or more of the following documents should be provided:
- Certificate of Incorporation
- Extract from the relevant company register
- Latest report and audited accounts
- Up to date certified copy of partnership agreement
How much does Notarisation cost?
The cost will depend on the number of documents to be notarised, the number of signatories, the professional time required to be spent, the complexity of the matter, your timescale, any legalisation requirements, travel time etc.
Please visit my Terms of Business page for more information on cost.
To obtain a specific quote please contact me with the following information:
- The type of document you need notarised
- The number of different documents you need notarised
- The number of copies of each notarised document which you require
- Whether the documents to be notarised are for an individual or company
- The country for which the documents are intended
- Whether you require an Apostille or other legalisation (if known)
- Your timescale
Record Keeping
Notaries are required to maintain a Notarial Register of the details of the matter. They must retain copies of the documents they notarise, as well as of the identity documents produced by the signatory.
Complaints Procedure
The Notaries Complaints Procedure is set out in full in my Terms of Business.