A Notary derives his or her authority as a Public Officer from what is known as his Faculty which is granted to him by the Court of Faculties of the Archbishop of Canterbury.

The main purpose of a Notary Public is to authenticate that documents for use in legal transactions outside the United Kingdom are genuine, have been signed by someone whose identity has been proved to the Notary and who has the necessary capacity and will to enter into the relevant transaction.

For individuals, the work of a Notary Public includes the verification of:

• Signatures to documents, for example, Powers of Attorney to take effect outside the United Kingdom to sell or purchase a foreign property.
• Travel consents for children travelling abroad.
• Forms required for the issue of a child’s foreign passport.
• Public documents e.g. birth, death and marriage and divorce certificates.
• Foreign adoption documentation.
• Educational qualification certificates.
• Passports.
• Translations.
• Forms required when someone marries abroad.
• The swearing of Affidavits and Statutory Declarations.
• Official letters issued by government departments and others including the Department of Trade and HMRC.

For company and business clients the work of a Notary Public includes the verification of:

• Documents issued by Companies House, for example, Memorandum and Articles of Association, Current Officers Report and Certificates of Good Standing.
• The legal status of a Company and its ability to enter into transactions.
• The signature of Directors to documents/agreements entered into on behalf of a company or business, for example, Powers of Attorney.
• Affidavits and Declarations made on behalf of a company/business by Directors/business owners.
• Official letters issued, for example, by government departments including Department of Trade and HMRC.

The services of a Notary Public are recognised in all countries throughout the world including, for example:

Professional Indemnity Insurance

We have professional indemnity insurance giving cover for claims up to £3 million.

To comply with our regulatory obligations and the terms of our professional indemnity insurance we may disclose relevant documents and information to insurers, brokers and insurance advisers on a confidential basis. This could include details of any circumstances arising from our work for you that might give rise to a claim against us. Unless you notify us to the contrary you consent to such disclosure by us even if the documents and information in question are confidential and/or subject to legal professional privilege.

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