Notary Public Service

In layman's terms a Notary Public is the holder of a public office and a member of a distinct branch of the legal profession. Most notaries are also solicitors.

A Notary Public is required to :

• Check the identity of the signatory by the production of 'proper documents' (for example, current valid passport, Council tax or electricity bill to confirm their address);
• Attest the signature of the individual involved; and
• Ensure that the document is signed in accordance with English Law and also in accordance with the legal requirements of the country for which the document is required.

and is mainly used for

• Dealing with purchase or sale of land and property abroad
• Authenticating company and business documents and transactions.

Time is very often of the essence when the services of a notary are required and so we endeavour to have someone available at one of our offices the same day if necessary.

John Jeffery is a Notary Public and is fully qualified to witness all appropriate documents. He can be contacted at our Shirebrook office on 01623 748522.

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Commercial Notary Matters: what are key stages?

For commercial clients involved in overseas transactions the need for speed is frequently of the essence. Every country will have its own requirements and it is essential that clients come to their first (possibly their only) meeting well prepared. This will involve bringing with them details of all the requirements of the other country with regard to what documents are required, what, precisely, the notary is asked to do and whether any documents will need to be translated. We do not have a translation service within the firm but may be able to put clients in touch with a qualified translator for a number of countries if you do not have access to a translator.

Bear in mind that the duty of the notary usually involves certifying that not only is the person signing the document who he or she says they are but also that they have the authority to sign the document(s) in question. This might involve producing evidence that the signatory is a director/secretary of the company involved or has been otherwise authorised to represent the company in that particular transaction. If you represent a company, it is normally necessary for the Notary to search the Register of Companies to establish that the company exists and sometimes that it has the power to enter into the transaction proposed.

For many countries it is also often a requirement that documents verified/authenticated by the notary should then be “Legalised”. This normally involves the documents to which the notary has attached his seal being sent to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office for an “apostille” to be endorsed on the document. The F&CO will make a separate charge for this. The Foreign & Commonwealth Office can take a number of weeks to deal with this process (especially for “non-commercial” documents) and it may be necessary that the documents are taken to them personally where there is a need for speed.

There are over two hundred countries in the world each one of which has its own requirements and it is not possible to give more than a brief outline of the matters which have to be dealt with. This will also vary depending upon the nature of the transaction and even (e.g. the United States) the part of the particular country involved. It is always a good idea therefore to contact at the first opportunity and provide us with as much information as possible before making an appointment. John Jeffery is a Notary Public and is fully qualified to witness all appropriate documents. He can be contacted at our Shirebrook office on 01623 748522.