Useful information
You may never have heard of a Notary, don’t worry; it’s the least known, smallest and oldest branch of the legal profession. Even many solicitors don’t know what a Notary is or does.
The Notary’s primary role is to authenticate documents for use overseas.
Download my full Terms and Conditions of Service here.
Some parts of my terms of service are reproduced below under our Frequently Asked Questions section. If you have any questions not listed here, perhaps something we haven’t thought of, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Frequently asked questions
What is the cost?
Notary Basil’s minimum fixed fee for a simple standard notarisation is £90.00. The final cost will depend on a number of variables including the nature of the transaction; also if there are any disbursements to be paid out; for example: legalisation costs paid to the Foreign and Commonwealth Development Office, foreign embassies.
Additional charges will always be agreed with you in advance.
For a full description of how notary charges are arrived at, see “Can you provide a quotation of costs?”.
NOTE: no additional charge is made for evening or weekend appointments.
How much do you charge for a single page document to be notarised?
Usually the minimum fee of £90.00.
If I have several documents, do you charge to notarise each document?
It depends if the extra documents are related. I recommend that you send me the documents in advance to obtain an accurate quotation. Please email BasilPru@gmail.com.
Can you provide a quotation of costs?
Yes and wherever possible I provide a fixed fee: see Documents to be Notarised.
How are notary fees set?
Notarial costs depend on whether further processing is needed, for example does the document need to have an Apostille attached to it. Do more enquiries need to be made. When I have this information I will provide a quotation of costs based on my experience in dealing with similar situations.
How to pay.
Payment may be made by cash, bank transfer, or invoiced by prior arrangement.
How do I instruct you to act for me?
You can phone or WhatsApp me 07525 633237 or email me at BasilPru@gmail.com. I use the RedSeal online client management system. Where, and when appropriate, I will email you my Client Registration Form to complete and return to me. You can attach copies of the documents to be notarised — this really speeds up the process and saves time at our meeting.
What is your RedSeal service?
RedSeal is an onboarding system designed for your convenience and to save you valuable time during our appointment. Prior to our meeting, I email you a secure Client Registration Form to complete at your convenience. All provided details — including supporting document copies — are safely stored in my Notary Protocol. This streamlines your initial appointment and ensures that if you require notarial services in the future, you will not need to re-register.
Do I have to attend your office?
Usually yes. When appropriate to do so, I offer a Remote Notarisation Service; please enquire. Meetings are strictly by appointment.
Do you offer an out of hours or mobile service?
Yes, contact me to arrange.
How do I make an appointment?
You can phone or WhatsApp me on 07525 633237 or email me at BasilPru@gmail.com.
What do I need to take to my meeting with you?
The documents to be notarised — these must be UNSIGNED as I have to witness you signing.
What ID is required?
Please bring your passport – or other official form of identity with you and proof of address (such as a utility bill dated within the last three months).
How long will it take?
As a highly experienced notary, having dealt with a huge variety of different scenarios, I am able to provide a fast and efficient service. Most Notarial Acts will be completed at a short face-to-face meeting however, if an Apostille or further Consular verification is required, your documents will be held by the notary for further processing. Each matter is different; I can provide an estimate of time once the documents have been seen by me.
My company frequently needs the services of a Notary; do I have to go through the on-boarding process every time?
No, my RedSeal client management system keeps your records in an extremely efficient manner enabling me to have your ID verification details to hand.
I have been asked to Apostille my document, what does this mean?
Think of an apostille as an international passport for a legal document. An Apostille is an official government-issued certificate attached to a public or notarised document to verify that the notary’s signature, stamp, or seal on it is genuine. Once a document has an Apostille, it is legally recognised as authentic in other countries without requiring further verification from foreign embassies.
What is legalisation?
Legalisation is the official administrative process by which a government authority confirms the authenticity of a notary’s signature, seal, or stamp on a document. Its sole purpose is to make a document issued in one country legally recognised and valid for use in another. Some countries, for example the UAE.
Legalisation only proves that the signature, stamp, or seal on the document belongs to a real, licensed official who had the legal authority to sign it. Content is ignored; it is the notary’s job to ensure that you understand and agree to the content.
TERMS OF SERVICE: Stages of the transaction
Each notarial matter is different, and the timescales will vary. Some of the typical stages are likely to include:
1. Receiving and reviewing the documents to be notarised together with any instructions you may have received
2. Liaising with your legal advisors or other bodies to obtain the necessary documentation to deal with the document (e.g. information from Companies House or foreign registries)
3. Checking the identity, capacity and authority of the person who is to sign the document
4. If a document is to be certified, checking with the issuing authorities that the document/award is genuine. In the case of academic awards, this would entail checking with the appropriate academic institutions
5. Meeting or arranging with the signatory to verify their identity and to ascertain that they understand what they are signing and that they are doing so of their own free will and ensuring that the document is executed correctly.
6. Drafting and affixing or endorsing a notarial certificate to the document
7. Arranging for the legalisation of the document as appropriate
8. Arranging for the storage of copies of all notarised documents
TERMS OF SERVICE: Regulatory information
My notarial practice is regulated through the Faculty Office of the Archbishop of Canterbury.
I maintain professional indemnity insurance at a level of up to £1 million per claim. I confirm that I am covered by a formal complaints procedure in the event that you are dissatisfied.
TERMS OF SERVICE: Complaints procedure
If you are dissatisfied about the service you have received, firstly please contact me at BasilPru@gmail.com. I will do my best to address your concerns promptly. The full complaints procedure — including the Faculty Office, the Notaries Society and the Legal Ombudsman — is set out in my Terms and Conditions.
Anything else?
Please do not hesitate to contact me.