Questions people actually ask.

A notary public is a specially qualified lawyer appointed to prepare and certify documents for use outside the UK. Notaries belong to the oldest branch of the legal profession, appointed through the Faculty Office of the Archbishop of Canterbury. A notary's signature, seal and certificate are recognised by authorities throughout the world — a plain witness signature is rarely accepted abroad.

The practice operates a 24-hour service — enquiries by phone, WhatsApp or email are answered any time, and most personal documents can be notarised the same day. The FCDO apostille stage depends on the service ordered; the current published turnaround is confirmed when you book.

Your valid passport (or national ID for non-UK nationals), proof of address dated in the last three months, the document to be signed if you already have it, and any supporting originals (e.g. the certificate you need copied). Company work needs the constitutional documents and proof of who is signing.

Signing with me usually takes 15–30 minutes. The FCDO apostille stage depends on the service ordered; I give you the current published turnaround when you book.

It is the certificate the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office attaches to confirm my signature and seal are genuine. Countries of the Hague Convention require it. The country where your document will be used decides — send me the destination and I will tell you.

Some document types (especially company documents and certified copies) can be handled by post and tracked courier from start to finish. Tell me where the document is going and I will confirm exactly what is possible before you pay.

Yes — we support English, Romanian, Polish, Lithuanian, Moldovan, Ukrainian, Spanish and many more via our network of sworn translators. Send your documents in whichever language they arrive in.

Card transfer or bank transfer for most instructions; fees are confirmed in writing in advance. Government apostille and embassy fees are charged at cost.

Send me the rejection note. In most cases the fix is a corrected certificate, a reissued document or the correct legalisation chain for that country, and I will quote the remedy before doing anything.

Yes — the practice is deliberately priced to be affordable and competitive for Northampton and the surrounding areas: notarial work starts from £95, and quotes are fixed in writing before any work begins. Government and embassy fees are charged at cost with nothing added, and the quote to get you started costs nothing at all.