Legalisation

In order to be accepted in certain countries, your documents once notarised and then apostilled may still be subject to an additional level of verification by the UK-based Embassy or consulate of the receiving country.

Legalisation simply means that the signature, seal or stamp appearing on your documents is confirmed as genuine and they will then counter-sign and stamp the documents to enable them to be accepted by the destination country. This additional level of certification can add complexity to the process as all consulates and Embassies all have different procedures and costs. Our Notary Matthew Maiden (based in Mansfield) will take a look at your documents and inform you what exactly is required to get your documents to their destination.   

To speed up the legalisation process for our clients we use an agent in London who will courier the documents to the Embassy on your behalf.

Preparing to see a Notary

Although every case will be different, you will need to ensure:

• You make an appointment
• You bring evidence of your identity to the appointment, such as a current valid passport and/or driving licence and a recent utlity bill or bank statement with your name and address on it
• You understand any documents involved, particularly if it is not in English
• You bring any documents to the appointment that are relevant to the matter
• You read the Terms & Conditions of service

What is the cost?

The fee will be based upon the amount of time that is spent dealing with your matter, however a quotation will be provided in advance.  All quotes are subject to VAT.

For more information, or to arrange an appointment with Stephen Gordon, call 0344 659 9046* or email info@bannerjones.co.uk.

*_{calls cost no more than a local 01 number and are included in your mobile minutes.}

More Information

The notarial practice of Matthew Maiden is regulated pursuant to the Legal Services Act 2007 by the Master of the Faculties through the Faculty Office of the Archbishop of Canterbury.

Our Notary is covered by Banner Jones Solicitors Professional Indemnity Insurance.   The Professional Rules for Notaries can be accessed either on the  Faculty Office website or the Notarial services website.

Complaints Procedure

The vast majority of our clients are totally satisfied with the Notarial service we provide, however, in order to comply with the Notaries' Code of Practice, we need to advise you of what to do should you become unhappy with our service.

The notarial practice of the notary dealing with your matter is regulated through the Faculty Office of the Archbishop of Canterbury: 

The Faculty Office, 1 The Sanctuary, Westminster, London  SW1P 3JT

Telephone 020 7222 5381                                

Email Faculty.office@1thesanctuary.com        

Website www.facultyoffice.org.uk 

1. If you are dissatisfied about the service you have received please do not hesitate to contact the notary dealing with your matter. 

2. If we are unable to resolve the matter you may then complain to the Notaries Society of which our notaries are members, who have a Complaints Procedure which is approved by the Faculty Office.  This procedure is free to use and is designed to provide a quick resolution to any dispute. 

3.In that case please write (but do not enclose any original documents) with full details of your complaint to :- 

The Secretary of The Notaries Society, P O Box 1023, Ipswich IP1 9XB

Email secretary@thenotariessociety.org.uk

If you have any difficulty in making a complaint in writing please do not hesitate to call the Notaries Society/the Faculty Office for assistance. 

4. Finally, even if you have your complaint considered under the Notaries Society Approved Complaints Procedure, you may at the end of that procedure, or after a period of 8 weeks from the date you first notified us that you were dissatisfied, make your complaint to the Legal Ombudsman, if you are not happy with the result :  

Legal Ombudsman, PO Box 6167, Slough, SL1 0EH 

Telephone 0300 555 0333    

Email  enquiries@legalombudsman.org.uk                       

Website  www.legalombudsman.org.uk 

5. If you decide to make a complaint to the Legal Ombudsman, you must refer your matter to the Legal Ombudsman within one year from the act/omission or within one year from when you should reasonably have known there was cause for complaint.