Brief examples of Notary Public services

Overseas Adoption

A couple decide to adopt a child living abroad, for example, from China, India, or Kazakhstan. To do so, they have to provide a number of documents, including home study reports, police checks and medical reports to the courts of the country where the child lives. The courts request that these documents are notarised by a Notary Public. When the documents have been notarised, they will usually have to be "apostilled" by the Foreign & Commonwealth Office, www.fco.gov.uk, and subsequently legalised by the appropriate Consulate, for example, www.chinese-embassy.org.uk.

Sale of a property abroad - "Apostille"

A couple wish to sell their property abroad. Their lawyer prepares the sale documentation and asks them to attend before a Notary Public in England who can witness their signatures to the documents.

The Notary checks the identity, capacity and authority of the couple. They show the Notary their personal documents as proof of their identity and address. When the Notary and the couple are satisfied that the sale documentation is in order, she witnesses their signatures to the documents, signs the documents and stamps them with her official notarial seal.

A further requirement of some overseas countries is for the notarised document to bear an "apostille". An "apostille" is a certificate verifying that the Notary’s signature and seal are genuine. This certificate is issued by the Legalisation Section of the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO), The Legalisation Office, Norfolk House (West), 437 Silbury Boulevard, Milton Keynes, MK9 2AH. Their current opening hours are 9.30 am - 3.30 pm and the charge is £28 per apostille. The website is www.fco.gov.uk

Purchase of a property abroad - Power of Attorney

A gentleman decides to buy a property overseas. He is unable to travel to the country where the property is located to complete the purchase. His lawyer, who is acting for him in respect of the purchase, prepares a Power of Attorney which authorises the lawyer to act on behalf of the buyer. The Power of Attorney has to be signed by the buyer in the presence of a Notary Public.

The Notary checks the identity of the buyer. When the buyer and the Notary are satisfied that the content of the Power of Attorney is correct, she witnesses the buyer's signature to the document and also signs and stamps the Power of Attorney with her official notarial seal.

Overseas examination application - Administration of an Oath

A doctor practising in England would like to work abroad. Before he can do so he has to take an examination. The overseas examination board specifies that the examination application form has to be signed and sworn by the doctor before a Notary Public.

When the Notary has checked the identity of the doctor, he asks the doctor to sign the application form. The Notary then administers an Oath. The doctor swears that his name and signature on the application form are correct and the contents of the application form are true. The Notary prepares a notarial certificate certifying the identity of the doctor and his signature.

For further information regarding the services of a Notary Public, please contact Dolores Rice, Notary Public.