I am a lawyer qualified to act for people, or businesses, requiring notarisation of documentation for use outside the UK, so that it will be accepted in the same way it would be if it had been signed or produced there.

I am most commonly asked to:

• witness the signature of Powers of Attorney, or other documents and declarations, statements and affidavits
• certify copy passports, academic certificates, or other such documents
• confirm that UK companies have followed company law and witness documents they may sign

After I have notarised a document I am often then asked to arrange for an “apostille” from the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office and sometimes additional “legalisation” from a foreign Embassy, as well as courier abroad.

A notarial signature may be relied upon by others so I must:

• verify the identity of the person (or that of owners of a company) signing
• satisfy myself that they have legal capacity and free will and understand the nature and effect of the document

I do not prepare the documents themselves, nor advise upon the meaning or effect of a document, or transaction. An authorised translation may be necessary in some cases and otherwise, if a document is not in English, you will need to explain it to me and demonstrate that you understand its meaning and effect. I work from home in Combe Down.