Personal Services
Here to assist you with notarising your documents.
Common documents we are asked to notarise
There is no comprehensive list of documents we notarise for clients but some common examples are:
1. Powers of attorney;
2. Notarising documents relating to the sale or purchase of properties abroad;
3. Issuing certified copy documents (such as passports and degree certificates);
4. Administering affidavits and other declarations for abroad;
5. Applying for documents to be legalised by the FCDO (Foreign and Commonwealth Development Office) such as birth certificates, marriage certificates, death certificates, ACRO certificates, and court orders;
6. Child travel documents;
7. Immigration documents;
8. Documents which may required an USA style acknowledgement;
9. Adoption documents; and
10. Certificates of law which explain the law of England and Wales on a specific topic, or applied to specific facts for a foreign lawyer or court.
If you need any assistance then please get in touch.
What is legalisation (apostille)?
Legalisation is a distinct process to getting your documents notarised. Legalisation essentially verifies that documents issued by an official are legitimate. It does not replace the need for your documents to be notarised. If you have been told that your documents need to be legalised after being notarised this could mean:
(1) Getting the documents apostilled by the FCDO (Foreign and Commonwealth Development Office); or
(2) Consular legalisation where documents are sent to the countries consular office or embasy in the UK to be verified; or
(3) A combination of steps 1 and 2.
If you are unsure of if legalisation is required then in the first instance check with the person who has sent you the documents to sign/the person who the signed and notarised documents are to be returned to.
We can arrange for documents to be legalised with the FCDO using their next day service. This can result in documents being legalised in around 3 working days from once they have been sent. Unlike our services not all people who offer legalisation services can deliver the quick turnaround that you may require when arranging for documents to be legalised.
How long does it take to get my documents notarised?
Most of the time getting your legal documents notarised may be the last step to complete your transaction, or some other important life event. You will want to get the documents notarised and returned to the recipient as soon as possible.
Each instruction is unique, involving documents for use anywhere around the world, the variety of work means that the time to it takes to carryout the work that is required can vary.
When we receive a new enquiry, with the documents to be notaries and any instructions you may have been provided with we will assess it quickly and will confirm an estimate of the timescales involved before you decide to instruct us.
Have you considered if your documents need to be legalised? Legalisation is a distinct process to getting documents notarised, it is not an alternative to notarisation. When document that I have notarised are sent off to be legalised, the purpose of the legalisation process is to confirm that my signature and seal are genuine. I can assist you with getting the documents legalised and depending on what type of legalisation is required the timescales can vary.
If you need any assistance arranging for documents to be notarised or legalised then please contact us.