What is a notary public and when will they be used?

Notary Public

A Notary Public is an officer of the law who holds an internationally recognised public office. The duty and function of a Notary is to prepare, attest, authenticate and certify deeds and other documents intended for use anywhere in the world.

These documents can be both for individuals or private companies.

In England and Wales Notaries are most often concerned with the verification of documents and information that is intended to be used in other countries of the world for clients who have business or property overseas or who are involved in litigation in foreign courts.

Impartial and legally trained witness

In most cases a Notary will act as an impartial and legally trained witness to authenticate and certify the execution of documents.

Main duties

The main duties of a Notary are confined to the following:

Preparing and witnessing powers of attorney for use outside the UK
Dealing with the purchase or sale of land and property outside the UK
Providing documents to deal with the administration of the estate of people who are abroad, or who own property abroad
Authenticating personal documents and information for immigration or emigration purposes, or to apply to marry or work abroad
Authenticating company and business documents and transactions

Are Notaries also solicitors?

In many cases Notaries are also solicitors but this is not always the case. Notaries in fact form an independent branch of the legal profession.

Individuals who also practice as Notaries must keep their practice of any other professional or business separate from their function as a Notary meaning that solicitors who act as Notaries do not usually give advice concerning the meaning or effect of a document. This advice should be given by an independent solicitor.

Are there any circumstances in which Notarisation cannot take place?

Notarisation cannot take place where fraud or violence is involved.

Will the authentication or a notary be enough for the document to be finalised?

Requirements for authentication of documents vary from country to country so it is always important to contact a Notary as soon as possible in order to ensure that all the authentication requirements for that country are adhered to in time. For example many countries require not only authentication from a Notary Public but also that the documents receive authentication from a body such as the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.


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