What is the British equivalent of a notary?
Asked by: Nichole Price DDS | Last update: January 21, 2026Score: 4.3/5 (33 votes)
A notary is a specialist lawyer. In England and Wales notaries are appointed and regulated through the Faculty Office of the Archbishop of Canterbury. Most notaries are also solicitors but they do not have to be. Being a notary is a separate profession.
What is a notary called in the UK?
A notary, also called a notary public, is a type of lawyer qualified to confirm that legal documents are authentic. This is known as notarising a document. In most countries, including the UK, notaries are not the same as solicitors but sometimes solicitors are also qualified notaries.
What is the UK equivalent of a US notary?
In the UK a notary, or scrivener, is a qualified solicitor, which is generally a family style of lawyer. They must take on a post graduate qualification to be a notary. So in the UK, all notaries are lawyers.
Is a solicitor the same as a notary?
Whilst a solicitor's primary duty is to act in the best interests of their client, a notary's primary duty is to ensure that all documents are legally authentic. This is a recognised profession all over the world and, as such, they must comply with the current worldwide standards.
What is a notarised document in the UK?
Notarisation is an identity-based, anti-fraud measure performed by a government-authorised individual known as a notary public. Their role is to verify the signer's identity, witness the signing of the document, and ensure the signer has the mental capacity to understand the document.
How to Obtain a Notarized Document in the UK
What is the difference between a notary and a solicitor in the UK?
A solicitor will prepare and handle many documents on behalf of a client, but if you need to use the document abroad, it should be verified by a notary public. This is a simple process called notarisation. You may also need an apostille for your document, but the notary can handle the entire process.
What is a notary also known as?
A notary—also referred to as a notary public—can be used to create trusted documentation or that a transaction occured and was officially recorded. For a document to be notarized, it must contain a stated commitment. The document must also contain original signatures from the parties involved.
How much is a notary fee in the UK?
The minimum charge for dealing with a single document is normally £90 plus VAT (£108) for personal documents and £180 plus VAT (£216) for business documents. Additional documents are typically charged at £45 plus VAT (£54) per personal document and £80 plus VAT (£96) per business document.
Is it worth becoming a notary in the UK?
Notaries are also entitled to deal with conveyancing and other non contentious work in England and Wales. Why Become a Notary? Being a Notary gives you exposure to a worldwide profession, not just restricted to England and Wales.
What is the UK version of a notary?
In England and Wales notaries are appointed and regulated through the Faculty Office of the Archbishop of Canterbury. Most notaries are also solicitors but they do not have to be. Being a notary is a separate profession. Solicitors are not authorised to carry out “notarial acts” if they are not also notaries.
How do I get something notarized in the UK?
Step 1: Have your documents signed in front of a Solicitor or Notary Public. You can locate one near you using the Notary Society's website. Step 2: Have the documents legalized by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) by means of an apostille (the official term for the legalization certification).
Can anyone be a notary UK?
In order to be admitted as a Notary Public a person must be at least 21 years of age, have taken the oath of allegiance under the Public Notaries Act 1843 and have a degree in law or hold a position as a solicitor of the Senior Courts of England and Wales or a barrister at law.
Is a UK notary valid in the US?
Although a document notarized and apostilled in the UK must be accepted in the USA owing to the Hague Convention of October 1961, some states, such as Florida, Colorado, Arizona or Nevada have passed laws that mean a UK notarization is enough. N. B. Certain states, such as California, always need an Apostille.
What is a notary signing agent UK?
A notary is a commissioned official who serves as an impartial witness in signing legal documents such as real estate deeds, trusts, affidavits and wills to ensure they are correctly executed.
What is a synonym for the word notary?
- endorser.
- recorder.
- registrar.
- scrivener.
- signatory.
- witness.
Who can notarize a letter in the UK?
In the UK, only a notary can notarise documents. Banks do not offer notary services. A notary public can certify a copy of a document. The notary may either attach a separate notarial certificate containing the certification or write the certification on the photocopy itself.
How long does it take to notarize a document in UK?
Appointments typically take between 15-30 minutes. Finally, we will take payment, provide you with your notarised documents, and email you a scan for your records.
What's the difference between a notary and a signing agent?
Although they start on similar paths, they're not the same thing: Notaries are there to verify identities and witness signatures while signing agents are certified to walk borrowers through specific loan-signing documents.
What is a synonym for the word notarize?
attest document endorse register swear validate verify witness.
Who can give a notary signature?
In the United States, all notarial acts must be performed by an actively commissioned notary public. A notary public is any individual who has received special authorization to certify document signatures from the state in which they operate.
What is the equivalent of a notary in England?
A Notary Public in the UK is most often a lawyer too. It is technically possible to qualify as a UK Notary without being, say, a Solicitor or Barrister, but one must sit an extensive series of examinations at considerable expense.
Are most attorneys notaries?
Are attorneys notaries? While an attorney can be (or become) a notary, not all attorneys can necessarily perform notarial acts. Some states automatically commission attorneys to legally perform notarization duties, but not all states do.
Is a British solicitor a lawyer?
The term lawyer is a generic term used to describe anyone who is a Licensed Legal Practitioner qualified to give legal advice in one or more areas of law. A solicitor and a barrister could both be considered a 'lawyer' in the UK.