Notary Services

Notary Public London

Lewis Nedas Law provides notary services in London for individuals, families and businesses that need documents authenticated for use in the UK or overseas. Our Notary Public, Wilson Soares, assists with personal documents, commercial records, powers of attorney, overseas property transactions, corporate documents and legalisation requirements.

Call +44 20 7387 2032 or complete our online contact form to arrange a confidential notary appointment in London.

Experienced Notary Services in London

Lewis Nedas Law has provided legal services for more than 40 years and is recognised as a Legal 500 Leading Firm 2026 and in The Times Best Law Firms 2026.

Notarial practice in England and Wales is regulated separately from solicitors' practice. Notaries Public are appointed and regulated through the Faculty Office of the Archbishop of Canterbury, under the authority of the Master of the Faculties.

What Is a Notary Public?

A Notary Public is a specialist lawyer whose principal role in England and Wales is to authenticate legal documents and transactions, particularly where documents will be used abroad. Notarial work can involve verifying:

The precise form of notarisation depends on the document, its intended use and the requirements of the organisation or authority receiving it. Notarisation is more than placing a stamp on a document. A notary may need to establish identity, capacity, authority, understanding of the document and the purpose for which it will be used.

When Might I Need a Notary?

You may be asked to use a Notary Public where a document created or signed in England and Wales is intended for use in another country. Examples include:

The receiving authority should determine what form of authentication it requires. Where possible, clients should provide any written instructions received from the overseas lawyer, bank, court, consulate, company or public authority before attending the appointment.

Notary Services for Individuals

Our London notary services for private clients can include:

Different countries and organisations can impose different formal requirements, so the intended destination and use of the document should be established at the outset.

Notary Services for Businesses

Lewis Nedas Law assists companies, directors, shareholders and entrepreneurs with documents required for international business. Notarial work can include:

A notary may need to verify that the company exists, identify its officers and establish that the person signing has authority to bind the company. Providing company documents and overseas instructions in advance can help identify what evidence is required before an appointment takes place.

Powers of Attorney for Overseas Use

A Power of Attorney for an overseas transaction may need to be signed before a Notary Public. Examples include appointing a lawyer or representative to:

The wording may be supplied by a lawyer in the country where the document will be used. Where a foreign-law document is provided, the client should obtain advice from a suitably qualified lawyer in that jurisdiction about its legal effect. Wilson can assist with the English notarial requirements and, where appropriate, liaise with the foreign lawyer or authority about execution and legalisation.

What Is an Apostille?

An apostille is a form of legalisation issued in the UK by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office Legalisation Office. The Legalisation Office checks whether a signature, stamp or seal on a UK public document matches its records. If the relevant checks are satisfied, an apostille certificate is attached or issued electronically where the service permits.

An apostille does not certify that the contents of a document are true or approve the transaction described in it. Whether an apostille is required depends on the country and authority receiving the document.

Do I Need an Apostille After Notarisation?

Not every notarised document needs an apostille. Some overseas recipients accept a notarial act on its own. Others require the notary's signature and seal to be authenticated by the FCDO Legalisation Office. Countries participating in the Hague Apostille Convention commonly use apostilles, subject to the rules applying between the relevant states.

You should check the requirements of the receiving authority before proceeding. Our notary service can help identify the steps requested and arrange the FCDO legalisation process where needed.

What Is Consular Legalisation?

Some documents require further authentication after an apostille. This may involve presenting the document to the embassy or consulate of the country where it will be used. The process differs between countries. The relevant foreign authority may impose requirements concerning:

We can assist with these procedural steps where they form part of the notarial instruction.

Notarial Translations and Multilingual Support

Documents intended for overseas use may need translation. The receiving authority may ask for a certified translation, a translator's declaration, notarisation of a translator's signature or another prescribed procedure. There is no single translation format accepted by every country.

Wilson speaks Portuguese, Spanish and French and works with international clients and foreign professionals. Where independent translation services are required, the appropriate process can be discussed according to the destination country's instructions. Clients should provide any translation requirements supplied by the receiving authority before work begins.

What Should I Bring to a Notary Appointment?

Requirements vary according to the transaction, but individuals will commonly need:

Do not sign a document in advance where the receiving authority or notarial process requires the signature to be witnessed by the Notary Public. Sending copies of the documents and overseas instructions before an appointment can help establish the correct procedure.

Can a Notary Guarantee That My Document Will Be Accepted Abroad?

No legal professional can guarantee acceptance by a foreign authority. The receiving court, bank, registry, consulate or public body controls its own requirements and can ask for further documentation or formalities. A notary's role is to carry out the appropriate notarial act based on the information and instructions available.

For higher-risk or unusual transactions, obtaining confirmation from the overseas recipient or a lawyer practising in the relevant country can reduce the risk of unexpected requirements.

Notary Fees

Notarial fees depend on factors such as:

We provide fee information before undertaking the agreed work. Third-party charges, such as FCDO legalisation fees, consular charges, translation costs and courier expenses, may be payable separately. Where the scope of work changes after instructions are received, any effect on fees can be discussed before further work is undertaken.

Regulation of Notaries in England and Wales

Notaries Public form a separate regulated legal profession. The Master of the Faculties is the approved regulator of the notarial profession in England and Wales, and the Faculty Office administers that regulatory framework. Rules applying to practising notaries cover areas including professional independence, conflicts of interest, fees, record keeping, professional indemnity insurance and professional conduct.

A person can be both a solicitor and a Notary Public, but being admitted as a solicitor does not by itself authorise someone to carry out notarial acts. Wilson Soares practises as both a Solicitor and Notary Public.

Why Choose Lewis Nedas Law for Notary Services?

Frequently Asked Questions About Notary Services