International Notary Services London

South London Notaries helps people and firms prepare documents for use abroad. We can check your papers, witness your signature and certify copies. Our international notary service is open to clients across London.

Each country has its own rules. Some papers only need a notary. Others may also need an apostille or an embassy stamp. We can explain the steps and help you avoid common delays.

We have offices in Tooting and Knightsbridge. Home, workplace, evening and weekend visits are also available. Send us your document and tell us where it will be used. We can then confirm what you need.

A Notary Public is a Public Certifying Official. Our certifications are recognised worldwide and can help prepare an existing document for use in another country.

The initial document must be prepared before it is provided to us, as we do not draft or prepare documents. We can check the document and confirm whether it is eligible for certification.

A Notary Public may check your ID or watch you sign the document. We can also certify copies of official documents after carrying out the relevant checks.

The notary then adds a signed and sealed certificate. This records the checks that took place. It also helps the person abroad confirm who carried them out.

The right process will depend on three things:

• The type of document

• The country where it will be used

• The rules set by the person or body receiving it

It is best to seek advice before you sign or send your papers. This can save time and lower the risk of refusal.

An overseas body may not know if a UK document or signature is real. A notary carries out checks and records the result. This gives the receiver more trust in the document.

You may need this service when you are:

• Buying or selling a home abroad
• Moving to another country
• Applying for a visa
• Starting a job or course overseas
• Proving your skills or degree
• Letting someone act for you
• Getting married abroad
• Dealing with an overseas estate
• Setting up a company in another country
• Completing a deal with a foreign firm

Ask the receiving body what it needs if you can. A lawyer, bank, court or public office may have its own rules. Please send us any written guidance you receive.

We help both private and business clients. Common documents include:

• Powers of attorney
• Passport and ID copies
• Degree certificates and school records
• Birth, marriage and death certificates
• Declarations and affidavits
• Child travel consent letters
• Property papers
• Contracts and business deals
• Companies House records
• Board minutes and company decisions
• Director and company secretary ID
• Court, bank and mortgage papers

Some documents need to be signed in front of the notary. For others, we check the original and certify a true copy. We will explain what you need to do before you attend.

A notary appointment may be the first step. Yet some papers need more checks before they can be used abroad.

The UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) issues apostilles. An apostille is an official certificate. It confirms the signature, seal or stamp of a UK public official. This can include a Notary Public.

Many countries use the Hague Apostille Convention. They will often ask for an apostille on a UK document. Other countries may ask for checks by their embassy or consulate. Some receivers only ask for notarisation.

We can notarise your document and help arrange an apostille. We can also explain if more steps may be needed.

We prepare papers for use around the world. Common destinations include Spain, the UAE, India, the USA, South Africa and Australia.

Spain

Many clients need a power of attorney for a home, bank or legal matter in Spain. It will often need to be signed before a notary. An apostille may then be added.

United Arab Emirates

We help with degree certificates, powers of attorney and company papers for Dubai and the wider UAE. The process may involve several stages. These may include notarisation, FCDO checks and an embassy step. We can review the document and any guidance you have received.

India

We can help with property, bank, family and legal papers for India. This often includes powers of attorney and certified ID. Signing and legalisation rules can vary, so please send us the full document first.

United States

Rules in the USA can differ by state and by the body receiving the paper. We can notarise powers of attorney, ID copies and declarations. We can also help you check if you may need an apostille.

South Africa

You may need a notary for a property deal, business task or family matter in South Africa. Some papers may also need an apostille before you send them.

Australia

People moving to Australia may need certified degrees, work records and ID. We can prepare papers for work, study or trade registration. This includes documents for bodies such as AHPRA.

These are only a few examples. We also deal with documents for many other parts of the world. Rules can change, and each receiver may set its own terms. We will check your request on its own facts.

1. Send Us Your Document

Email us a clear copy of every page. Tell us the country and what the document is for. Please also send any notes from the foreign lawyer or body.

2. We Review the Details

We will check the document and set out the next steps. We will also tell you what ID to bring. You will receive details about the fee and likely timescale before work starts.

3. Attend Your Appointment

We may watch you sign, check an original or certify a copy. The exact task will depend on the document. Do not sign it before your visit unless we tell you to do so.

4. Add Any Further Checks

Your document may then need an apostille or another form of legalisation. Once every stage is complete, you can send it to the overseas body.