Your questions answered

Click on a question below to see the answer:

Do I need to make an appointment to see a Notary?
Does the Notary need to see the document before the appointment?
Do you need to bring anything with you in addition to the document?
How long will the appointment take?
Will the Notary come to my office?
How much will notarisation cost?
My document says it should be sworn before a Commissioner for Oaths how do I do this?
How do I know if notarisation is required?
What is notarisation?
When is legalisation by the Foreign Commonwealth & Development Office (an Apostille) needed?
When is legalisation by an Embassy / Consulate needed?
What is required for my degree certificate to be notarised?

Do I need to make an appointment to see a Notary?
Yes. It is advisable as I may not be available when you call. Often I am able to see clients at short notice or even visit their offices (however this incurs an additional fee).

Does the Notary need to see the document before the appointment?
Although not imperative it is advisable for me to see the document to see exactly what is required. Sometimes documents provide for a number of witnesses or for me to give a notarial certificate e.g. as to the status of the person signing on behalf of a company. It also enables me to give a more precise estimate of my fees.

Do you need to bring anything with you in addition to the document?
On your first visit you will need to bring your passport and evidence of your home address e.g. a recent utility bill or bank statement, that has your name and address on it and dated within the last 3 months. This will not be necessary on subsequent visits provided your passport has not been renewed or expired and you have not changed address.

How long will the appointment take?
For a straightforward matter this will take 20-30 minutes but it will take longer where it is complicated or multiple documents are involved.

Will the Notary come to my office?
For corporate clients, yes, please call me to discuss arrangements. Depending on where your office is there may be an additional disbursement charge for time incurred and travel expenses.

How much will notarisation cost?
This will depend on what needs to be done and the number of documents. My fees are based on a per document basis and the level of the fee is dependent on a number of factors e.g. complexity of the matter, urgency of the matter, whether the document is prepared or I need to assist with preparing it. Please contact me for my current schedule of fees or submit a quote request. Specific estimates will be provided on request and at the time of making an appointment.

My document says it should be sworn before a Commissioner for Oaths how do I do this?
Most solicitors can act as Commissioners for Oaths and can provide this service to you for a nominal fee. It is not necessary to see a Notary.

How do I know if notarisation is required?
Most documents will state on the face of the document if they need to be signed in the presence of a Notary. It is usually the person who will use the document abroad, e.g. the person being appointed as your attorney or the other party to the contract, who specifies what they require. If you are in any doubt you should ask them or ask the Notary to make enquires on your behalf to determine if notarisation is required.

What is notarisation?
This is the act by a Notary of certifying a signature or issuing a certificate authenticating the document, where that documet is to be used abroad. There is no statutory restriction on what a Notary is allowed to attest to, however, there are practice rules and conventions that are adhered to.
Many documents from North America do not need to be notarised even if they say notarisation is required on the face of the document! You should enquire of the person who sent you the document to see if they will accept a solicitor as a witness.

When is legalisation by the Foreign Commonwealth & Development Office (an Apostille) needed?
This varies from country to country. Generally, an apostille is an official certificate issued by the Foreign Commonwealth & Development Office that authenticates the Notary’s signature, seal, or stamp on a document for use in another country. It verifies document legitimacy under the Hague Convention, allowing it to be accepted in foreign countries that are part of the Hague Convention. I can confirm the position on request.

When is legalisation by an Embassy / Consulate needed?
This will usually be stated by the party requiring notarisation, but if you are unsure I will be pleased to make enquiries and advise you.

What is required for my degree certificate to be notarised?
You will need to send in a copy of your certificate. I will then validate this with the issuing authority and inform you when this has been done so that you can bring or send the certificate in to be notarised. The issuing authority may ask you to give your consent to them validating the certificate. This consent must be given in writing and provided to the notary at the time of the initial appointment. I will provide you with the consent form to complete and sign.