A Notary Public, also called a ‘Public Notary’ or simply ‘Notary,’ is a member of one of the oldest branches of the legal profession in England & Wales. They are qualified legal professionals, appointed by law to serve the public in non-contentious matters.

A Notary in London, or anywhere in England & Wales, acts as a bridge between the English legal system and foreign legal systems, ensuring that your documents are valid for use in another country.

The primary role of a Notary is to verify or authenticate legal documents for international use. This includes confirming the identity, capacity, and authority of the person signing the document. Once satisfied, the Notary affixes a unique notarial seal or certificate to the document, which is personal to each Notary.

Unlike Solicitors and Barristers, whose duty is to their clients, a Notary’s primary duty is to the document itself. Notarial Acts must meet high standards, as they are often relied upon by third parties such as foreign government officials. A Notary may prepare or witness the signing of documents, authenticate their contents, administer oaths, and certify copies of documents like passports or utility bills.