What is Notary Certification for Apostille Legalisation?

Notary certification is when a UK notary public reviews a document and adds a written statement confirming its authenticity, along with their signature, name, professional title, official seal, and date. This process verifies the document for international use and is recognised by foreign authorities. In many cases, notary certification is required before a document can be legalised with an apostille by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) or submitted for embassy legalisation.

Uk Notary Public

A UK notary public is a specially qualified lawyer authorised to verify documents for use abroad. Notaries confirm your identity, witness your signature, and certify that your documents are genuine and correctly executed. They are recognised internationally and regulated by the Faculty Office of the Archbishop of Canterbury.

Many countries require notary certification before a document can receive an FCDO apostille or embassy legalisation. Using a registered UK notary ensures your paperwork meets international legal standards and avoids rejection by foreign authorities.

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Why Do I Need a Notary?

A notarial certification is one of the highest levels of document authentication available from a lawyer or public official. This is due to the specialist training, qualifications, and international legal expertise required of UK notaries. When a notarised document is presented abroad, it provides greater reassurance to the recipient that the document has been properly verified and meets international standards for authenticity.

For most transactions that take place solely within the UK, a notarial certification is not usually required — a solicitor certification or commissioner for oaths certification is typically sufficient. However, many overseas authorities specifically request notarisation for added security. We can also arrange commissioner for oaths certification in certain circumstances, upon request.

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We Certify Many Types of Documents

We handle a wide range of documents and can provide different types of certification — including solicitor certification, notary certification to meet your specific needs.

The most common documents we process include powers of attorney, passports, educational certificates, and Companies House documentation. However, we also regularly work with many other document types and are experienced in ensuring they meet the correct legalisation standards.

If your document type is not listed on our website and you’re unsure whether we can help, simply email us at support@1stapostille.co.uk and we’ll confirm the best certification and legalisation route for you.

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Need Some Help? – Speak to a UK Apostille Expert Today

Not sure if your document qualifies for an apostille or embassy legalisation? Need advice on translations, solicitor certification, or urgent processing? Our friendly UK-based team is here to help.

  • Calls answered in under 10 seconds – speak to a real expert almost instantly.
  • Free pre-order advice – we’ll confirm document eligibility before you pay.
  • Worldwide delivery – we can send your apostilled or attested documents anywhere.
  • Extra services – we can order replacement certificates (e.g., birth, marriage, ACRO police checks) on your behalf to speed up the process.

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