WHAT IS A NOTARY

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A Notary (also called Notary Public or Public Notary) is a qualified lawyer – a member of the oldest branch of the legal profession in this country tracing its origin to Roman times. A Notary in England and Wales is appointed by the Court of Faculties of the Archbishop of Canterbury and is subject to the regulation by the Master of the Faculties.

Notaries are primarily authorised to authenticate and certify legal documents, together with the signatory's identity, legal and mental capacity, and authority (if signing on behalf of a company or other business entity) in accordance with the requirements of an overseas legal system. Every country has its own requirements, and there may be different requirements within one country, as to how legal documents are prepared, executed and authenticated and Notaries assist to navigate and complete this process.

The document(s) may relate to commercial or property transactions or legal proceedings, or many other matters outside England and Wales. The signature and official seal of a notary are accepted all over the world as a certification that documents are genuine and may be relied on.