Notary Public Yeovil

Welcome to Notary Public Yeovil

I am a Notary Public acting for clients in Yeovil and throughout the surrounding area.

Click on a link below for more information about what I offer.

• What services does a Notary Public provide?
• Example Notary services offered for businesses.
• Example Notary services offered for individuals.
• Documents in foreign languages.
• What is Legalisation or Apostille and do I require it?
• Independence and Rules of English Notaries
• What identification does a Notary Public require?
• How much does Notarisation cost?
• Data Protection Privacy Notice

What services does a Notary Public provide?

A Notary Public (or Notary) authenticates and legalises documents, particularly those for use abroad. A Notary's seal and signature will verify to the authorities in that country that the relevant checks have been carried out and that the client's signature is genuine.

A Notary will have regard to the legal requirements both of the country where the document is to be used and of England and Wales. For example, if you are buying property abroad, it is often necessary to give your overseas lawyer a power of attorney to act on your behalf. That power of attorney will need certification by a Notary.

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Notary Public Marylebone as well as Notary Public Bromley and Notary Public Battle, Bexhill, Hastings including polski notariusz London and Notary Public Margate as well as Notary Public in Hackney and including Notary North London and Notary in Chichester Notary in Cumbria

Example Notary services offered for businesses.

A Notary can formalise legal documentation for

• Assignments or registration of trade marks.
• Apostille and legalisation.
• Powers of attorney.
• Certification of Company documents and records.
• Affidavits, statutory declarations and sworn statements.
• Property transactions, transfers, purchases and sales.
• Any other documents for use abroad including court papers.

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Example Notary services offered for individuals.

A Notary can formalise legal documents such as

• Copies of passports.
• Powers of attorney.
• Certified copies of qualification certificates.
• Transfers of land, or shares.
• Lost passport declarations.
• Statutory declarations.
• Oaths.
• Permission for children to travel with one parent.
• Sponsorship declarations.
• Any other legal documents for use abroad, including court papers.

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Documents in foreign languages.

UK notaries public frequently handle documents written in foreign languages, and strict rules apply to ensure accuracy, reliability, and international acceptance. A notary must be satisfied that they fully understand the content and legal effect of any document they notarise. If the notary is fluent in the relevant language, they may deal with the document directly, provided they are confident in their comprehension.

Where the notary is not fluent, they will not rely on assumptions or informal explanations. Instead, the document will usually be accompanied by a certified translation prepared by a qualified translator. The notary will either notarise the translator’s declaration or attach the translation to the original document, clearly recording how accuracy has been assured. In some cases, the notary may also require the translator to appear personally before them.

These practices are governed by the Notaries Practice Rules and overseen by the Faculty Office, which emphasises the notary’s duty to foreign authorities who will rely on the notarised act. The key principle is risk avoidance: if the notary cannot properly understand the document, they must not notarise it. This cautious approach protects clients, overseas recipients, and the international credibility of UK notarial acts.

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What is Legalisation or Apostille and do I require it?

Legalisation (UK Notaries)

Legalisation is the process by which a UK notarial act is formally authenticated so it can be accepted in a foreign country. After a document has been notarised, it may need to be submitted to the Legalisation Office, part of the UK government. Legalisation confirms that the notary’s signature and seal are genuine and that the notary is properly authorised. For some countries, legalisation is a multi-stage process, involving further certification by the foreign embassy or consulate. UK notaries often guide clients through these steps, ensuring documents meet the precise requirements of the destination country.

Apostille (UK Notaries)

An apostille is a simplified form of legalisation used between countries that are parties to the Hague Apostille Convention. For UK notaries, this usually involves submitting the notarised document to the Legalisation Office, which attaches an apostille certificate. The apostille confirms the authenticity of the notary’s signature and seal, allowing the document to be recognised abroad without further embassy legalisation. Apostilles are commonly required for powers of attorney, company documents, and personal certificates. This streamlined process reduces cost and delay while maintaining international trust in UK notarial acts.

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Independence and Rules for English Notaries.

In the United Kingdom, notaries public perform a specialist legal role that places strong emphasis on independence and adherence to clear professional rules. Their main function is to authenticate documents and transactions for use overseas, which means foreign courts, authorities, and institutions must be able to rely on their impartiality and integrity.

UK notaries are appointed and regulated by the Faculty Office, acting under the authority of the Archbishop of Canterbury. This distinctive regulatory structure underlines the notary’s position as an independent public officer rather than a purely client-focused legal adviser. Although many notaries are also solicitors, their notarial duties are legally separate from their wider legal practice.

Independence is fundamental. A notary must act impartially and must not notarise documents where there is a conflict of interest, including personal relationships or financial involvement. The notary’s duty extends beyond the client to all third parties who may rely on the notarial act abroad.

Professional conduct is governed by the Notaries Practice Rules, which regulate client care, identification checks, confidentiality, record-keeping, and complaints procedures. Notaries must also comply with anti-money laundering legislation, working within a framework aligned with bodies such as the Ministry of Justice. Strong disciplinary powers help ensure trust, independence, and international credibility.

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What identification does a Notary Public require?

A Notary is obliged to keep sufficient evidence on file of the identity and address of every client. Each person signing a document before the Notary must produce ONE of the following original identification documents

• Passport .
• Driving licence with photo card .
• National Identity Card (EU nationals).
• Armed Forces pass (with photo and signature).
• Firearms licence (with photo and signature)

In addition proof of address is required which can be ONE of the following documents

• Bank statement or letter from a Bank
• Inland Revenue tax demand or self assessment statement.
• Driving licence with photo card.

Where a Notary is acting for a corporate client, evidence of the status and authority of the person acting on behalf of the company or entity is required. Where appropriate a Notary will carry out a search at Companies House for this information.

In addition , each signatory will have to provide the individual identification listed above.

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How much does Notarisation cost?

Typically, the cost of notarisation typically ranges from £60 to £120 for a straightforward document, although fees can be higher for complex or urgent work. Unlike solicitors, UK notaries do not operate fixed statutory charges. Instead, fees must be fair, transparent, and reasonable, reflecting the professional time and responsibility involved.

Prices are influenced by several factors. These include the number of documents, the complexity of the notarial act, and the amount of preparatory work required, such as verifying identity, assessing legal capacity, or reviewing supporting paperwork. Documents in foreign languages, multiple signatories, or company-related matters often increase the cost because they involve greater risk and due diligence. Urgent or out-of-hours appointments may also attract a premium.

Notaries are regulated by the Faculty Office, which requires fees to be proportionate and properly explained to clients in advance. Ultimately, the price reflects not just the act of stamping a document, but the notary’s independent legal responsibility and international accountability.

Please contact me to obtain a quotation/estimate.