What is a Notary Public?

 

A Notary Public is a qualified lawyer and member of the third and oldest branch of the legal profession. Many Notaries Public are also qualified Solicitors (such as myself) who have undergone further legal training to qualify as a Notary. There are only approximately 850 Notaries in England and Wales, compared with approximately 120,000 Solicitors. Notaries are appointed by the Court of Faculties of the Archbishop of Canterbury and are subject to regulation by the Master of the Faculties. Notaries have practised under the authority of the Archbishop of Canterbury since 1553. 

 

What does a Notary Public do?

 

Notaries are primarily concerned with the authentication and certification of signatures, authority and capacity relating to documents for use abroad.  Notaries have specific powers to authenticate documents which are particularly recognised by certain foreign legal systems. There are many instances where foreign legal processes will require the specific authentication of a document by a Notary (rather than, for example, a Solicitor).  They include powers of attorney, sworn statements, contracts, property papers and certificates of law. Notaries must verify for each client their identity, legal capacity and understanding of the document as well as their authority if signing on behalf of another party such as a limited company. Every Notary has an official seal. Most are unique and engraved with a personal symbol. Notarial acts with this impressed seal and signed by a Notary are universally recognised and any facts they contain are treated as the evidence of a responsible legal officer.