Notarial Certification
The purpose of notarial certification is to verify or prove the execution of legal documents.
Generally, this is required to enable particular documents to be accepted abroad by courts, registries and other notaries.
The form of the notarial certificate varies substantially according to the document and the country in which it is to be used.
Our Service
We certify documents for use in all jurisdictions.
All Scrivener Notaries are qualified in at least two foreign languages and specialise in acting as a bridge to other legal systems, so we aim to ensure that the document and our certificate meet the particular requirements of the country where it is to be used. This includes arranging for legalisation of the documents, another level of authentication which is performed by the Foreign Office and/or the consulate or embassy of the relevant country.
The range of documents which may need to be notarially certified is vast, but most common are:
- Documents transferring property rights, such as bills of sale, mortgages and assignments;
- Powers of attorney;
- Affidavits, oaths and statutory declarations.
As well as merely certifying such documents, we frequently advise clients on the wording and form of the document itself.
We also produce certificates in public form for certain civil law jurisdictions.
Practicalities
As a simplified guide, signatories if not known to the Firm must produce evidence of their identity (such as a passport) and, if they are signing on behalf of a company, then evidence of their authority to sign.
Details of cost, time taken, and what evidence must be produced to the notary all vary enormously, depending on the type of document and where it is to be used.
Please contact any of our notaries or send an enquiry for more information.
