A notary public is a lawyer whose office it is
to draw up and certify documents.
An act drawn up by a notary public traditionally has credence throughout the world, ensuring acceptance by overseas courts and registries. A notary public is an officer of law, held to standards of integrity, impartiality and excellence. In England and Wales, a notary acts as connection between the legal traditions of the common law and civil law.
A notary public admitted in England and Wales may offer the following services in London and beyond:
- authentication of the execution and content of documents
- electronic notarisation
- electronic notarisation
- attestation of signatures
- preparation of foreign wills and the provision of documents for the administration of estates in England and other countries
- preparation and authentication of powers of attorney for use abroad
- administration of oaths in relation to written evidence for use in the courts of England and foreign courts
- notarisation of copy documents and the authenticity of public records
- preparation and certification of legal translations
- bills of sale, ship mortgages and overseas registry registration forms
- agents for service of legal process
An experienced notary public will be able to assist clients with many types of document. These include:
- powers of attorney
- affidavits, oaths and statutory declarations
- contracts
- trademark assignments and patents
- wills and grants
Those notaries who have the experience and skill may go on to qualify as scrivener notaries by examination and training. This is a professional choice. It is a proud tradition and one which senior notaries at John Venn & Sons and their predecessors have been privileged to maintain.