Almost every document that is for use in a foreign country and requires witnessing is likely to need witnessing by a notary. The notary may also be involved in the preparation of the document and will advise on whether there are any additional legalisation requirements necessary before the document can be used in the foreign country.
- Typical transactions needing the services of a notary are:
- Powers of attorney for use abroad
- Conveyancing documents for land abroad
- Documents relating to foreign estates
- Company and commercial documents and transactions
- Immigration and emigration documentation
- Shipping protests
- Protesting bills of exchange
- Certification of copy documents
- Certification of points of law
- Certification of identity and signatures
- Witnessing declarations and affidavits for use abroad
We can advise on all of the above on a case to case basis.
In addition to the preparation, witnessing and notarising of the range of documents listed above a notary can also provide a secure record for within his protocol for almost any kind of recordable document or event.
All notaries are subject to professional rules and regulations and must act independently and impartially at all times. Part of the duties of a notary is to check the identity of the person signing as well as his or her legal capacity, authority and understanding of the document. In the case of a company, the notary will carry out identification checks on the individual or individuals signing but will also have to carry out checks on the company itself be making searches at Companies House, inspecting the company’s constitutional documents and the Minute Book as necessary. The notary has a duty is to the transaction (rather than to individual) and must ensure that anyone signing a document does so freely and voluntarily.