A NOTARY PUBLIC OFFERS A VARIETY OF SERVICES
The following are just to exemplify a few of my services:
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Certificates to verify or confirm copies of passports and other ID documents
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Certificates to verify or confirm qualifications and academic certificates
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Certificates to verify or confirm copies of other officially issued documents
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Powers of Attorney for use overseas
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Property sale and purchase documents for use abroad
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Sponsorship documents
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Declarations for child travel
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Overseas adoption applications
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Single status declarations for marriage abroad
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Witnessing signatures on documents
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Authenticating the execution of documents
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Administering oaths, affidavits and statutory declarations
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Hearing affidavits for evidence in foreign jurisdictions
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Certificates of Good Standing for companies
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Certifying company minutes and resolutions
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Witnessing applications for foreign company incorporation
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Legalisation of documents at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and embassies
​CERTIFYING COPIES OF DOCUMENTS
I can certify copies of a wide range of original documents, confirming their genuine and authentic nature after completing all required verification checks. Some jurisdictions request very specific wording, and at Ema Notaries Ltd, I ensure the certification precisely matches the wording required by the overseas authority. Documents protected by Crown Copyright, such as British Birth or Marriage Certificates, can only be notarised in their original GRO-issued form. The Foreign Office also legalises originals only. If you need guidance on requirements, timings or more information regarding fees, please feel free to contact me for clear advice before your documents are submitted abroad.
WITNESSING AND AUTHENTICATING SIGNATURES
A common notarial task is witnessing signatures on legal documents, once all parties have been properly identified using passports or other valid identification. The notary records essential details such as their signature, the date and place of signing, and, in certain cases, the type of identification provided by each party. By authenticating the signing process, the notary ensures that the document is legally verified and ready for use overseas. As part of my standard service, I provide a full notarial certificate confirming the witnessing, execution, and verification of identity documents for all individuals signing.
NOTARY PUBLIC CERTIFICATION
The legal documents that are to be signed or created in the UK but which are then subsequently required to be submitted overseas -outside of the UK, commonly require certification by an English Notary Public. The fundamental purpose of a document certified by a notary public is to provide legal evidence and communicate and preserve information and authority. The certification of a notary public, as an official legal document that can later be relied upon and recognised at law internationally, can often become of significant importance.
COMPANIES HOUSE DOCUMENTS
I issue notary public certificates in relation to all documents held at the Companies House Registry of England and Wales (and also the Companies House registries of Scotland and Northern Ireland). This service may be required, for example, where a limited company is involved in a business matter overseas. The authenticity of the company's good standing, as certified by a notary public, is required by an overseas body before the company may conduct business overseas. Additionally, the authority and standing of a Director of the Company, or an authorised signatory of the company, may require verification by a notary public. The notary may also supply and notarise a Certificate of Good Standing of the Company, where this can be obtained from Companies House.
CORPORATE/COMPANY POWERS OF ATTORNEY
Limited companies often appoint an attorney overseas to represent the company in the overseas jurisdiction, as well as sign legal documentation on behalf of the limited company. In such situations, the company may decide to appoint an overseas lawyer or representative to execute documentation on its behalf. In such situations, the company may need to execute a corporate Power of Attorney in the presence of a notary public. Generally, the notary will need to conduct a full search at Companies House for the Company and obtain evidence that the director is genuinely recorded as a Director of the company at Companies House. The notary will also obtain identification documents from the director or directors signing on behalf of the company. Additionally, the notary will obtain evidence that the director is duly authorised by the company to execute the documentation. Special requirements exist under English law regarding the form of execution for deeds executed by companies. For a full guide to these requirements, please see Land Registry Practice Guide 8 available at https://www.landregistry.gov.uk/professional/guides/practice-guide-8#guide-mark-23
OVERSEAS MARRIAGES
If you are getting married overseas, congratulations on your engagement. We are pleased to assist you and provide any notary public documentation you may require. Examples of the type of paperwork you may require are different between counties, but are likely to involve evidence that you are lawfully free to marry. For example, some countries may require a notarised and legalised Certificate of Non-impediment issued by the General Registry Office (GRO). Alternatively, a different country may require you to sign an Affidavit confirming your freedom to marry and confirming that you have never been previously married, or if that is not applicable, the details of your previous marriage and evidence of divorce from a previous marriage. Obtaining the correct notarised documentation in good time for a forthcoming marriage can be of vital importance, as any failure to do so can ultimately result in a planned marriage not being allowed to proceed. Many countries will require legalisation by the Foreign Office and/or a Consulate of your paperwork.
LIFE CERTIFICATE FOR PRIVATE PENSION PROVIDERS
I provide this service to pensioners whose overseas private pension provider has requested that they supply a Certificate of Life or Declaration of Existence. The purpose of the certificate given by the notary is to enable the pension holder to claim their pension by supplying evidence of the existence of the pension holder to the pension company. Many pension companies provide their own standard form; however, I am also able to create and notarise a bespoke Life Certificate for you, tailored to your specific requirements.
NAME CHANGE / CHANGE OF NAME DEEDS
Notaries are able to prepare and complete Change of Name deeds for any person wishing to change their name. Any person in the UK is legally entitled to change their name whenever they wish (unless it is for fraudulent or illegal purposes). Common reasons for a name change include after a Divorce, when the wife wishes to revert to her maiden name, a dislike of a current name, or a desire for a less or more ethnic-sounding name. Please note that if a child's name is to be changed, the change of name deed would normally require signatures from all parties holding Parental Responsibility for the child. Alternatively, evidence of consent of all parties holding Parental Responsibility for the child should be produced.
PARENTAL CONSENT FOR THE CHILD TO TRAVEL
Parental Consent authority forms are required by certain countries, such as the USA, in situations where a minor child is travelling with either just one parent or, alternatively, with an adult who is not a parent of the minor. Examples of countries requiring a Parental Consent Form to be signed before a Notary Public in certain situations, include but are not limited to the following: Australia, Canada, Chile, China, Dubai, The Dominican Republic, France, Germany, India, Japan, Mexico, Spain, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, United States of America, Vietnam etc I am pleased to notarise the Parental Consent Form for you. If the required form of the Parental Consent Form is an Affidavit, then I will administer and notarise the Oath for you.
PASSPORT APPLICATIONS FOR MINORS
Passport applications made for and on behalf of minors, in certain countries such as the USA, require the application to be submitted by both parents. However, if both parents cannot be present to make the Passport application for their minor child, then a Consent Form may be required from the non-appearing parent, authorising the other parent to apply for and obtain the Passport for the minor child. Typically, the Parental Consent form must be signed in the presence of a Notary Public, who is required to witness and notarise the same by attaching their seal and stamp of office. I am pleased to assist parents requiring a notary public for this service and am able to respond to urgent requests at short notice.
POWERS OF ATTORNEY
Notaries are often involved in authenticating powers of attorney for use in foreign jurisdictions. Commonly, the power of attorney will be prepared by overseas lawyers and, in appropriate cases, by the client. The power of attorney will be prepared either in a foreign language or in a bilingual form, e.g. in English on one side of a page and the foreign language on the other side of the page. The formal requirements for executing a power of attorney vary between different countries. However, part of the notary's role will be to ensure that the power of attorney is executed in a manner acceptable to the jurisdiction where it will ultimately be used.