What Is a Notary? A Comprehensive Guide to Notarial Services
Understanding the role of a notary is essential for individuals and businesses dealing with legal documents, particularly those intended for use abroad. Whether you’re preparing a power of attorney, certifying documents, or finalising property transactions, a notary public ensures that your documents are authenticated and legally recognised.
This guide delves into the duties of notaries, their qualifications, and how they provide essential services for private and corporate needs.
What Is a Notary Public?
A notary public is a legal professional authorised to authenticate, certify, and witness documents. In England and Wales, notaries are appointed and regulated by the Faculty Office of the Archbishop of Canterbury. While many notaries also practise as solicitors, being a notary is a distinct profession with its own rules and regulations.
Key Responsibilities of Notaries
- Authenticating Documents: Ensuring that documents are legally valid and accepted abroad.
- Certifying Copies: Verifying that a copy of a document matches the original.
- Witnessing Signatures: Confirming that documents are signed correctly and legally.
- Preparing Powers of Attorney: Drafting and authenticating legal authority for use overseas.
- Assisting with Property Transactions: Certifying documents for buying or selling property abroad.
The Role of the Faculty Office
The Faculty Office is the governing body for notaries public in England and Wales. Its responsibilities include:
- Overseeing the training and qualification of notaries.
- Issuing practising certificates, allowing notaries to provide their services legally.
- Ensuring adherence to the Notaries Practice Rules 2019, which outline standards of integrity, impartiality, and professionalism.
Scrivener Notaries
A subset of notaries, known as scrivener notaries, possess additional qualifications, including proficiency in at least two foreign languages. They specialise in international work and often cater to complex cross-border transactions.
When Do You Need a Notary?
For Individuals
- Certifying Personal Documents: For immigration, marriage, or study abroad. Examples include birth certificates, marriage certificates, and academic qualifications.
- Wills and Estates: Preparing and authenticating foreign wills or documents for estate administration abroad.
- Travel or Visa Requirements: Certifying passports or travel-related documents.
For Businesses
- Corporate Transactions: Authenticating company documents, including board resolutions and incorporation certificates.
- International Trade: Certifying documents required for cross-border business dealings.
- Employment Contracts: Preparing documents for employees working overseas.
How to Find a Notary?
Finding a reliable notary public is straightforward with these methods:
Use search engines to look for “notary public near me” or specific services like “electronic notarisation.”
Solicitors or legal consultants can recommend trusted notaries.
The Notaries Society provides a searchable directory of notaries by location.
For documents intended for use abroad, these institutions often recommend notaries familiar with country-specific requirements.
Why Choose Notary Quote for Notarial Services?
At Notary Quote, we connect individuals and businesses with experienced notaries public who provide comprehensive and reliable services.
Benefits of Choosing Notary Quote:
- Wide Range of Services: From notarisation to legalisation and certified translations.
- Verified Professionals: All listed notaries are qualified and regulated.
- Convenient Options: Access mobile and online notarial services for added flexibility.
- Transparent Pricing: Receive upfront quotes tailored to your needs.
Can Notaries Handle Electronic Documents?
Yes, many notaries now offer electronic notarisation services, which involve producing secure digital documents. While not all countries accept electronic notarised documents, this service is becoming increasingly popular.
Remote Online Notarisation (RON)
Some documents can be notarised remotely via video conferencing. This method, known as RON, is especially useful for individuals unable to visit a notary office in person. However, the acceptability of remote notarisation varies by country, so it’s important to confirm this with your notary public.
FAQs About Notaries
Fees vary based on the complexity and type of document. Many notaries offer free initial consultations and transparent pricing.
Electronic notarisation is possible for many documents, but it’s important to check whether the receiving country accepts digital notarised documents.
While walk-ins may be possible, scheduling an appointment ensures availability and faster processing.