Notarial Services
Introduction
You may need the services of a Notary specifically in relation to signing and authenticating documents for use abroad.
Common examples include:-
- Powers of Attorney in favour of a family member or foreign attorney to enable then to act for you on the sale or purchase of a property abroad.
- Other Powers of Attorney, particularly in relation to commercial matters.
- Papers in relation to the inheritance of assets abroad.
- Commercial contracts, trade mark or intellectual property agreements.
- Certifying copies of company documents required to set up subsidiaries in foreign jurisdictions.
- Sponsorship forms for foreign visitors.
Once a document has been authenticated by a Notary, or your signature has been witnessed by a Notary, it may then be a requirement in the country concerned for the document to be "legalised". Commonly (particularly for Europe) this can be done through The Foreign and Commonwealth Office who will attached an "apostille" to the document at a cost currently of £27. Sometimes the country will also require that the document is legalised by their own consulate; examples include China and the Middle East. Certain countries, particularly the USA and former Commonwealth countries, do not require legalisation.
The work of the Notary does not include advising you on the content and effect of a document which in any event will be subject to the laws of a foreign jurisdiction.
The witnessing or authentication of documents by a Notary and legalisation can be arranged through our Exeter office.
