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Frequently asked questions


Q. What is a Notary Public?

A. A Notary Public in England is an officer of the law appointed by the Court of Faculties.

Q. What is the function of a Notary Public?

A Notary Public:

Documents/deeds/affidavits to be used in England should be certified by a local Solicitor

Q. What is an apostille ?

A. An apostille is a certificate attached to the document notarised by the Notary Public by the legalisation section of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office situated in Milton Keynes. The purpose of the apostille is to certify the genuineness of the Notary’s signature and seal. The FCO will charge £30 for an apostille per document and £5.50 postage.

An Apostille would normally be required for certain types of documents such as Powers of Attorney and land documents for use in Spain, France, Italy, Mauritius and some parts of India although other Countries may also require the Apostille, dependent upon the type of document.

Q. How long will it take to have a document notarised?

A. It depends on the nature of the transaction and the number of documents to be notarised. A simple case of certifying a true copy of a document will usually take about 10 minutes but a more complex transaction can take up to 30-45 minutes.

Q How long will it take to obtain an apostille ?

A. The FCO will normally take some 5-10 working days to apostille and return the document.

Q. What ID documents do I need to bring to the Notary Public ?

A. You will need to bring your passport or driving licence and proof of address such as a utility bill or bank statement.

Q. What is the difference between the primary duties of a Notary Public and a Solicitor?

The Notary’s primary duty is to the document itself and to the individual presenting it; unlike Solicitors and Barristers in the UK whose duties are to the clients.

Please contact me to obtain a quote or to make an appointment.