Welcome to Notary Public Hastings, Bexhill, Battle & East Sussex

I offer Notary services to clients throughout East Sussex, including Hastings, Bexhill, Battle, Wadhurst, Crowborough, Heathfield, Cranbrook, Hawkhurst, Robertsbridge & Tenterden

Appointments are available either at my office or at your own office or home at a time to suit you. Weekend or evening appointments are also possible.

For a quotation or to make an appointment please contact me.

Click on a link for more information.

What services does a Notary Public provide for individuals?
What services does a Notary Public provide for companies and businesses?
Notarisation of Qualifications
How much does it cost for Notarisation?
What is Apostille and when do I require it?
What is Legalisation and when do I require it?
Data Protection Privacy Notice
My Terms & Conditions

What services does a Notary Public provide for individuals?

Witnessing Signatures – Verifying and authenticating signatures on legal documents.
Certifying Copies of Documents – Officially certifying that a copy of a document is a true and accurate reproduction of the original.
Administering Oaths and Affidavits – Taking oaths and declarations, including sworn statements for legal purposes.
Certifying Powers of Attorney – Authenticating powers of attorney for use in domestic and international matters.
Verifying Identity – Confirming the identity of individuals signing documents to prevent fraud.
Apostille Services – Authenticating documents for use abroad by providing an apostille (international certification).
Drafting and Authenticating International Documents – Preparing and notarising documents for use in foreign jurisdictions (e.g., wills, contracts, affidavits).
Dealing with Inheritance Matters – Certifying documents related to cross-border inheritance or probate.
Notarising Translations – Certifying the accuracy of translations of legal documents for foreign use.
Certifying Marriage and Birth Certificates – Notarising official civil documents for use internationally.

These services are typically required when documents need to be legally recognised in other countries or when an official third-party verification of authenticity is needed.

Please note that I cannot certify as true copies documents with a Crown copyright.

What services does a Notary Public provide for companies and businesses?

Notarising Corporate Documents – Certifying documents such as articles of incorporation, bylaws, and shareholder resolutions.
Authenticating Business Contracts – Verifying the authenticity of contracts and agreements for international use.
Certifying Powers of Attorney – Authenticating powers of attorney for company representatives in business transactions.
Legalising Documents for International Use – Providing an apostille for documents that need to be used abroad (e.g., corporate records, agreements).
Notarising Financial Statements – Certifying financial documents, such as annual reports and accounts, for foreign regulatory or legal purposes.
Witnessing Board Resolutions and Minutes – Verifying corporate governance documents like board meeting minutes and resolutions.
Certifying Commercial Agreements – Notarising business agreements, joint ventures, and partnership contracts for use in foreign jurisdictions.
Authenticating Employee Documents – Certifying employee-related documents, such as work contracts or visa applications for international purposes.
Supporting Cross-Border Transactions – Assisting with the notarisation of documents for international mergers, acquisitions, or joint ventures.

These services help businesses ensure their documents are legally valid and recognised in foreign jurisdictions, facilitating international operations and compliance.

Please note that I cannot certify as true copies documents with a Crown copyright.

Notarisation of Qualifications

Sometimes, large numbers of certificates are required to be notarised when someone applies for a job overseas. I can have these notarised quickly upon the production of the original documents. If original documents are not available please contact me to see if there is an alternative.

How much does it cost for Notarisation?

The cost will depend on the number of documents to be notarised. To obtain a quote please contact me with the following information:

How many different documents do you need to be notarised
What type of document do you need to be notarised
How many copies of each notarised document do you require
Are the documents being notarised for an individual or company
Which country are the documents intended for
Whether you require an Apostille

Please visit the contact me page to obtain a quotation.

What is Apostille and when do I require it?

An Apostille is a certification provided by an official government authority to authenticate documents for international use. In England, this certification is issued by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), and the process is governed by the Hague Convention of 5 October 1961. This international treaty simplifies the procedure of verifying documents across countries that are signatories to the Convention. The goal of an Apostille is to ensure that documents are legally recognised in foreign jurisdictions without the need for additional legalization processes, which can be time-consuming and expensive.

Purpose of an Apostille in England

In England, an Apostille serves as proof that a document is genuine and that the signature, seal, or stamp on the document is authentic. This certification is required for various types of documents, including but not limited to:

- Birth, marriage, and death certificates
- Legal documents, such as powers of attorney
- Academic records and diplomas
- Notarial acts
- Business documents (contracts, company registration details, etc.)

An Apostille is typically required when these documents are being used in a foreign country that is a member of the Hague Convention. The presence of the Apostille verifies the legitimacy of the document, so the recipient country does not need to validate its authenticity separately.

How the Apostille Process Works in England

In England, the process of obtaining an Apostille involves several key steps:

1. Document Preparation: The document must first be signed or notarised as required by the relevant authority (e.g., a solicitor or notary public). Documents that are already notarised, for instance, may be submitted directly for the Apostille.

2. Submission to the FCDO: The next step is to submit the document to the FCDO for authentication. This can be done in person, by post, or through an authorised third-party service provider. The FCDO will verify the authenticity of the document, checking the signature and seal.

3. Issuance of the Apostille: Once the document is verified, the FCDO will attach an Apostille to it. This is usually a certificate that is placed on the back of the document or attached as a separate page. The Apostille includes details such as the document's country of origin, the name and title of the person who signed it, the capacity in which they signed, and a unique reference number.

4. Return of the Document: After the Apostille is attached, the document is returned to the applicant, who can then present it for use in the foreign jurisdiction.

Types of Documents Eligible for Apostille

The Apostille process in England applies to a wide range of documents, as mentioned earlier. However, some documents, such as court orders, deeds, or certain government-issued documents, may need additional verification steps before they can be apostilled. Documents not originally in English may need to be translated into English before the Apostille process.

Why an Apostille is Important

The main benefit of an Apostille is that it simplifies the process of using documents across international borders. Before the Hague Convention, legalizing documents for use abroad often involved a time-consuming process where documents had to be verified by embassies or consulates, which could vary by country. The Apostille provides a universal and streamlined solution, making international transactions, such as legal proceedings, academic applications, and business contracts, far easier to manage.

Conclusion

In summary, the Apostille in England is an essential tool for certifying documents for international use. By affixing an Apostille, the UK government confirms the authenticity of a document, ensuring it is legally accepted in countries that are signatories to the Hague Convention. This system significantly reduces the complexity and cost of document legalization, making it easier for individuals and businesses to engage in international affairs.

What is Legalisation and when do I require it?

In England, legalisation refers to the process of certifying a document so that it will be accepted as genuine in a foreign country. This process is essential when a document needs to be used in a jurisdiction outside the UK, especially in countries that are not part of the Hague Convention of 1961. Legalisation involves verifying that the document is authentic, ensuring that signatures, seals, and other formalities are legitimate, and confirming that it complies with the requirements of the destination country.

How Legalisation Works in England

The legalisation process in England typically involves the following steps:

1. Verification of the Document: The document is first checked to ensure that it is signed, notarised, or otherwise properly authenticated by an authorised official, such as a notary public, solicitor, or public authority.

2. Submission to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO): After the document is prepared, it must be submitted to the FCDO or an approved partner for legalisation. The FCDO verifies the authenticity of the signature or seal, confirming that it was issued by a recognised authority in the UK.

3. Certification by the FCDO: Once verified, the FCDO affixes a legalisation stamp or certificate to the document, confirming its authenticity for use in the specified foreign country.

Why Legalisation is Important

Legalisation is required to ensure that documents such as birth certificates, marriage certificates, powers of attorney, and commercial documents are recognised as legally valid when presented abroad. Countries that are not signatories to the Hague Convention typically require this additional process to confirm the document’s legitimacy. Legalisation helps to facilitate international trade, legal proceedings, and other cross-border transactions by ensuring that documents comply with foreign legal standards.