Notary in Holborn, London
Staple Inn Notaries receives clients at Fox Court, 14 Gray's Inn Road, Holborn, London WC1X 8HN, a short walk from Chancery Lane and Farringdon Underground stations and the City of London. The Notary is appointed by the Court of Faculties and regulated through the Faculty Office of the Archbishop of Canterbury.
- In-person appointments at our Holborn office
- From £135 plus VAT for personal documents, £150 plus VAT for business and property documents
- For clients who prefer not to travel: online notarisation across England and Wales, or the Mobile Notary in Central London.
What a Notary does
A Notary in England and Wales is a specialist lawyer and the holder of a public office, appointed by the Court of Faculties and regulated through the Faculty Office of the Archbishop of Canterbury. The notarial profession is the oldest branch of the legal profession in England and Wales. Its appointment and regulation rest on statute, from the Ecclesiastical Licences Act 1533 to the Courts and Legal Services Act 1990 and the Legal Services Act 2007. "Notary" is a protected title, and only a Notary may perform a notarial act.
The principal function of a Notary is to authenticate documents and transactions for use outside England and Wales. A notarial act is not a simple certification. Before acting, the Notary establishes each signatory's identity, legal capacity and understanding of the document. Where a person signs on behalf of a company or another party, the Notary also establishes their authority to do so. The Notary then records these facts in a notarial certificate under signature and official seal.
The Notary's signature and seal are registered with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO). Notarised documents can therefore be legalised by UK FCDO apostille. Courts, registries, banks and public authorities abroad accept them as evidence from a responsible legal officer, without further enquiry. In England and Wales, the court rules allow a notarial act to be received in evidence without further proof.
Notaries are bound by practice and conduct rules made by the Master of the Faculties and renew their practising certificate annually. Every Notary must hold professional indemnity insurance and fidelity cover. A permanent record of each notarial act is retained.
Services at our Holborn office
- Notarisation of powers of attorney, company documents, board resolutions, declarations and affidavits
- Certified copies of passports, degrees and certificates
- Oaths, statutory declarations and affidavits, and the witnessing of signatures
- UK FCDO apostilles and embassy legalisation for documents going abroad
Your appointment
- Request an appointment and tell us the document type and the country where it will be used.
- Email scans of your documents before the appointment so the Notary can review them.
- Bring the original documents, valid photo ID and proof of address from the last 3 months.
- Attend at Fox Court. The Notary completes the notarial act and arranges any UK FCDO apostille or legalisation.
Fees
| Personal documents | £135 plus VAT |
|---|---|
| Business and property documents | £150 plus VAT |
| Evenings and weekends | Double the standard fee |
A £50 Holborn in-person appointment deposit secures an in-person appointment. UK FCDO apostille prices include the FCDO fee of £45.
Pay for an in-person appointment
Secure your appointment with a £50 Holborn in-person appointment deposit, deducted from the full amount, with the balance paid at the appointment, or pay in full in advance. We do not offer credit.
Finding us
Fox Court, 14 Gray's Inn Road, London WC1X 8HN, near Chancery Lane and Farringdon Underground stations.
Questions
Where is your Holborn office?
Fox Court, 14 Gray's Inn Road, London WC1X 8HN, near Chancery Lane and Farringdon Underground stations.
Do I need an appointment?
Yes. Request an appointment so the Notary can review your documents before you arrive.
How much does an in-person appointment cost?
From £135 plus VAT for personal documents and £150 plus VAT for business and property documents, with a £50 Holborn in-person appointment deposit to book.
Can you arrange a UK FCDO apostille?
Yes. We arrange the UK FCDO apostille and embassy legalisation. UK FCDO apostille prices include the FCDO fee of £45.
Can I avoid travelling to Holborn?
Yes. Our online notary service covers all of England and Wales, and our mobile Notary visits addresses in Central London.