A Notary or “Notary Public” is a qualified member of the legal profession appointed and regulated by the Court of Faculties. Details of the regulator may be found at www.facultyoffice.org.uk including the Rules and approved Code of Practice by which a Notary is bound. The role of a Notary is primarily to verify and certify documents, events and transactions that are intended to be effective and relied upon in another country. There is further helpful information on the Notaries Society website (www.thenotariessociety.org.uk).
Nicholas Brown Notary Public, in Thame, Oxford, can help you with all your requirements for overseas documents including:
- Attesting execution of documents in person and using remote online notarisation where possible
- Providing certificates certifying the genuineness of copy documents, signatures & execution of documents
- Taking Declarations, Affidavits, Oaths & Acknowledgments
- Arranging translations
- Witnessing signing of Powers of Attorney
- Dealing with foreign probates
- Dispute resolution & the recording of private and commercial agreements • Witnessing/attesting events and transactions
- Arranging legalisation of documents by the Foreign Office including e-apostille where acceptable
As part of the process of “notarising” a document , Nicholas has to verify and certify four distinct and essential things:
- The identity of the parties or those who appear before him
- The capacity of the parties , both personal and legal
- The authority under which the parties seek to act
- The willingness of the parties to be bound by the particular transaction (ie that they understand the nature and consequences of the transaction)
Generally speaking, a matter will proceed as follows:
Initial enquiry.
- I will ask you to supply electronic copies of the documents so that I can view them and see what needs to be done.
- I will provide an accurate quote and an indication of availability and timescale.
- An appointment (either in person or by video conference) will be set up between us at a convenient time. I will outline exactly what you need to bring to the meeting. If a document is to be signed electroncally by remote online notarisation then a secure and reliable platform called Notary Sign (backed by Docusign) would be used, in conjunction with a Zoom audio/visual conference call link.
- I will carry out verification and checks as well as considering any drafting amendments that are required.
- We will meet at my office or by video conference, at which time you will produce your photo identification and proof of address. ID documents will be examined and assessed in accordance with government-issued guidance (www.gov.uk/government/publications/recognising-fraudulent-identity-documents ).
- I will complete my notarial certificate. This will generally be at the meeting but occasionally the documents may have to be returned to you at a later date.
- If you have instructed me to obtain an apostille, I will do so. You can find an overview of the legalisation process at https://www.gov.uk/get-document-legalised . Legalisation can take between a day to several weeks depending on what is required but I will advise you on the timescale in your matter. Where possible in the particular matter, e-apostilles can be applied for. My qualified electronic signature has been approved, and is held by, the FCDO which allows for the issue of an e-apostille.
- I will issue my invoice to you for immediate payment. The invoice will usually be handed to you or sent by email.