What is a Notary Public?

 

A small number of senior solicitors in Northern Ireland have been appointed a Notary Public and have been appointed to this public office to facilitate the public in relation to the requirements of foreign legal systems to have documents notarised. The function of the Notary Public is to either certify copies of documents as true copies of the originals or to verify that a document was indeed signed by the person who purported to sign it. It is not a function of a Notary Public to provide legal advice in relation to foreign jurisdictions.

 

 

What should I bring with me?

 

1. Proof of Personal Identity – Passport; Driving Licence; National Identity Card; HM Forces Identity Card or equivalent or Travel Pass.
2. Proof of Place of Residence – Utility Bill (electricity, phone, Rates, etc); Bank Statement; Pension Book; National Insurance Card; Driving Licence; Tax Demand.
3. Copy documents for certifying - If you require documents to be certified as true copies then the originals must be produced. Copies on their own will simply not be notarised.
4. Powers of Attorney or documents to be signed by you – You may have been sent these directly, so bring these with you.
5. Foreign Language Documents – You may have been sent these directly, so bring these with you.
6. Company Documents – If a document or a series of documents is to be executed by someone on behalf of a company then the authority for so doing should be produced to the Notary by the person giving it. This may take the form of a Resolution of the Board or of a letter from the Company Secretary.

 

 

What is Legalisation?

 

Legalisation is an internationally recognised procedure for certifying the authenticity of the execution of a document. It operates by means of an unbroken chain of verifying signatures commencing with that of the first signatory to the document (you); in the presence of a Notary Public who attests to such execution; the Principal Secretary of the Lord Chief Justice certifies that the Notary is still on the Roll of Notaries Public in NI (if appropriate); the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) for sealing by the Principal Secretary and then the appropriate embassy or consular office for sealing by the relevant official.

 

 

What is an Apostille?

 

The 1961 Hague Convention agreed a shortened form of legalisation for documents passing between countries that are parties to the Convention. An Apostille in the UK is a certificate issued by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) which verifies the signature and/or seal of a public officer, e.g. a Notary Public, on a document and the capacity in which he or she has acted and has the same effect as legalisation.

 

 

What does a Notary Public not do?

 

• A Notary Public does not give legal advice
• A Notary Public does not need to understand the foreign language in which a document is written, just to satisfy him/ herself that you understand it.

 

 

How much will it cost/ How long will it take?

 

We aim to process all documents the same day they are received. Time frame and cost will be confirmed to you beforehand and once it is confirmed what services you require.