Notaries can examine and authenticate a wide range of documents, witnessing or preparing certified copies of these. The notary’s role is to check for fraud, that the signatory understands the document(s) they are signing and that they are happy to do so. A notarised document will bear the notary’s signature and official seal of office.

A Notary will assist with the formalities required for completing a document to be notarised, however, they will not advise a client on the legal effect of the document or the transaction itself and the client must seek such advice from their own lawyer or the persons asking them to have the document notarised in the relevant jurisdiction.

Notaries can also assist in legalisation requirements whether at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) or any other relevant embassy/consulate. Legalisation is the process by which the signature and seal of the Notary are authenticated by the FCDO, who will affix and Apostille, and in some cases the relevant Foreign Embassy.