Who are Notaries?
Notaries are a separate independent legal profession, appointed by the Faculty Office under the authority of the Archbishop of Canterbury, after examinations and enquiry as to the suitability of the candidate to be appointed.
For more information on the history of the profession follow the link to the Notaries Society. Most Notaries are solicitors, but most solicitors are not Notaries! Solicitors do not do the same things as Notaries, the two professions are quite distinct.
What do Notaries do?
Notaries can assist clients in the following areas, amongst others
- Certifying identity.
- Certifying copy documents for example educational and professional qualifications for use abroad.
- Assist with international business transactions.
- Witness and legalise when required foreign powers of attorney, affidavits, Court and commercial and property documents.
- Authenticate documents for use abroad.
- Authenticate translations of documents translated by certified translators.
- Protest bills of exchange.
- Deal with Ship protests.
- Executing documents for use in Scotland.
- Deal with the legalisation of documents through the Foreign and Commonwealth Office or the relevant UK Embassy or Consular Office.
Notarial Services are provided at Langleys by
Roger Taylor, a partner in the firm's commercial team. Roger has been a Notary, by examination, for some sixteen years and assists the firm's commercial and private clients in a variety of matters.
Roger does prepare certain notarial documents in public and private form, but will not prepare documents in a foreign language for use in other jurisdictions, that is where the client's local lawyers are involved and the drafting of such documents is their task. Peter Horner provides similar services from the firm's Lincoln office having recently qualified as a Notary; he is a partner in the firm's commercial team.
It is important that you bring positive identification with you to your appointment. You need your up to date passport, full current UK drivers licence and proof of your UK address. This can be a utility bill or council tax bill in your name, or a bank or building society account. A mobile telephone bill is not usually acceptable.
Fees
It is usual for straightforward matters to be done for a minimum fee of £65.00 plus value added tax and expenses.
Expenses can include photocopying, legalisation and apostille fees, courier and special postal expenses for delivery of documents abroad.
Fees are paid by cash, cheque or credit card at the appointment, or if later are due on delivery of the firm's invoice.