The role of a Notary is sometimes confusing even to those familiar with the work of Barristers and Solicitors. The profession is an ancient one dating back to Roman times and even now is regulated by the Faculty Office of the Archbishop of Canterbury.
Notaries are instructed to advise on the correct preparation of certain documents and have a unique authority to authenticate any fact or piece of information. In particular they are involved with the verification and preparation of notarial certificates intended for use abroad in foreign jurisdictions.

Why Notaries are Important today

A notary certifies or “authenticates” a document by attaching his signature and unique seal. With the advent of international trade, tourism and families emigrating from and immigrating into this country, more and more often a Notary is required to handle the inevitable documentation that follows as a Solicitor is not recognised by the authorities abroad
Examples of a notary’s work include:

1. Notarising the execution of corporate Powers of Attorney.

2. Notarising certificates of a company’s good standing.

3. Notarising a certificate of incorporation of a UK or foreign company.

4. Notarising the identity of Directors, Secretaries and other officers of a company.

5. Notarising the execution of a commercial Contract for use in foreign jurisdictions or abroad.

6. Authenticating and verifying documents required to open a foreign branch of a company’s office in the United Kingdom.

7. Notarising commercial mortgages for international finance.

8. Notarising certificates to authenticate intellectual property rights and music, the performing arts and/or television rights.

9. Notarising Powers of Attorney for the purchase of property overseas.

10. Preparation of Change of Name Deeds.

11. Notarising Affidavits, Declarations, Witness Statements and Statutory Declarations for use abroad

12. Providing notarised copies of company resolutions and minutes or reports.

13. Notarising paperwork to obtain work permits for foreign workers.

14. Getting married or working abroad.

15. Attending to “legalisation” of Notarial Acts (the further certification of a Notary’s seal by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and other countries’ embassies where required