What is a Notary Public?
Find out what a Notary Public does, when you might need one, and how notarial services can help with personal, business and overseas matters.
What You Need To Know
Understanding The Role Of A Notary
A Notary Public is a qualified lawyer who has undergone further post graduate training to qualify as a Notary and is appointed to carry out certain legal formalities and to authenticate documents, signatures and identities.
A Notary is a member of the oldest branch of the legal profession in the United Kingdom. Notaries are appointed by the Court of Faculties of the Archbishop of Canterbury and are subject to regulation by the Master of the Faculties. The rules which affect Notaries are very similar to the rules which affect Solicitors.
Notaries have to renew their practising certificates every year and can only do so if they have complied with the rules. Notaries are particularly important when documents are intended to be used outside England and Wales. A foreign government, court, business, bank or other organisation may require a document to be notarised before it will accept it as genuine.
Candida Purser provides notarial services in and around Guildford, assisting with documents for use in the UK and overseas. Whether your matter is corporate or commercial, or relates to a personal or family matter, Candida can guide you through the notarial requirements and explain what is needed next.
Explore the services available below.
How A Notary Can Help
What Does A Notary Public Do?
A notary can help with a wide range of documents and procedures including:
- Verify Identity
- Witness and authenticate signatures
- Certify copies of documents.
- Administer oaths and declarations
- Notarise powers of attorney
- Notarise documents relating to overseas property transactions
- Notarise personal and family documents
- Notarise personal and family documents
- Notarise company and commercial documents
- Deal with documents required by foreign governments, courts, companies and other authorities.
Support With Important Documents
Why Might I Need A Notary
You may need a Notary Public when an organisation or authority requires independent confirmation that a document,
signature, copy or identity is genuine. Common examples include:
Property Abroad
If you are buying, selling or dealing with property overseas, you may be asked to sign a power of attorney or other documents before a notary.
Powers of attorney
A person or organisation overseas may require a power of attorney to be notarised before they will accept it
Documents for use overseas
Documents issued in the UK may need to be notarised and possibly legalised before they can be used in another country.
Business and commercial documents
Overseas companies, banks or authorities may require notarised company documents, certificates, signatures or powers of attorney.
Personal documents
You may need notarised documents for matters such as marriage, inheritance, immigration, education or other personal affairs overseas.
Declarations and affidavits
A Notary Public can administer certain oaths and declarations and authenticate the resulting document
Frequently Asked questions
Understanding Notarial Services
What is the difference between a Notary and a solicitor?
A solicitor and a Notary Public are both lawyers, but their roles are different. A solicitor will generally advise you about your legal rights and responsibilities and can deal with legal matters within England and Wales. A Notary Public performs specific legal functions involving the authentication and certification of documents, signatures and identities.
Notarial documents are usually intended to be relied upon internationally. If an overseas authority has specifically asked for a document to be notarised, you should make sure that you use a Notary Public rather than assuming that a solicitor's certification will be sufficient.
Why does a Notary Public use an official seal?
Every Notary Public has an individual seal used to authenticate notarial documents. The seal, together with the notary's signature, helps overseas authorities identify the notary responsible for certifying the document. This provides an important element of trust when documents are used internationally.
How long has the profession of Notary Public existed?
The notarial profession has a history dating back to ancient Rome. Notaries have practised in England since the 13th century, making it the oldest branch of the legal profession in England and Wales. Although their responsibilities have evolved over the centuries, their role in authenticating important documents remains essential today.