In the UK, notarial services for individuals are provided by a Notary Public, who is a specialist primarily authorised to authenticate and certify documents for use abroad. Their role is distinct from solicitors, as they act as impartial witnesses to ensure documents are legally recognised in foreign jurisdictions. 

 

Common Personal Services

Most individuals require a notary for cross-border legal or financial matters: 

 

•   Property Abroad: Witnessing signatures on deeds and transfer documents for buying or selling overseas property.

•   Powers of Attorney: Authenticating documents that grant someone legal authority to act on your behalf in another country.

•   Education & Employment: Certifying original degree certificates, transcripts, and professional qualifications for overseas visa or job applications.

•   Family Matters: Notarising consent forms for children travelling with one or neither parent, marriage applications for weddings abroad, and adoption paperwork.

•    Identity Verification: Providing certified copies of passports, driving licences, and "Proof of Life" certificates for overseas pensions.

•    Legal Declarations: Administering oaths, affirmations, and statutory declarations for use in foreign courts or jurisdictions.    

•   Online/Remote Notarisation: Some documents can be notarised via video call using electronic signatures, though this is not yet universally accepted for all document types like deeds or oaths.