Fees and Turnaround Times Explained by a Notary Central London 2026

If a document has to be signed in London and then used overseas, the price on the notary's invoice is only one part of the picture. You may also need an Apostille, embassy legalisation, translation, courier delivery or extra document checks. Then there is the clock. A document needed tomorrow is a very different job from one needed next month.

We see this often at Staple Inn Notaries. A client has a property completion date in Spain, a company signing deadline in the City, a Power of Attorney needed abroad or a family document that must reach a foreign authority. The question is usually the same: what will it cost, and how soon can it be ready?

This guide explains how we approach those questions in 2026. We cover our current published fees, the separate government charges that can arise, realistic turnaround stages and the information we need to give you a useful quote. The aim is simple: fewer surprises, clearer planning.

What does a notary fee actually pay for?

A notary does more than watch a signature. For an international document, we may need to check identity, consider capacity, confirm authority, review the document, witness execution, prepare or complete the notarial certificate, keep the required records and make sure the finished document is suitable for its intended use.

That work is why a notarial fee is not the same thing as a basic witnessing fee. The more complicated the document, the more time may be needed before and after the appointment.

At Staple Inn Notaries, we offer fixed-fee quotes where the scope is clear. Where a matter is more complex, we agree the charging basis in advance. Our published fees state that the price can depend on the type and number of documents, whether they are for UK or overseas use, complexity, urgency, drafting requirements and whether a same-day, evening, weekend or mobile appointment is needed.

Staple Inn Notaries fees in 2026

Our current published international notarial fees give clients a useful starting point. These are not promises that every matter will cost exactly the same amount. We review the document and its intended use before confirming the final fee.

Service	Published starting fee	What can affect the final cost
Personal international documents	From £135 per document	Complexity, number of documents, drafting, urgency and legalisation
Commercial and property documents	From £150 per document	Corporate checks, document complexity, transaction urgency and overseas requirements
Notary-certified identity copies	From £95 per document	Document type and any additional certification needed
More complex notarisations	Notary hourly fee may apply	Time, specialist work, preparation, advice and complexity
Mobile notary service	From £250 plus travel costs	Location, timing, urgency and travel requirements

The published fee page also states that oaths, affidavits and statutory declarations are charged at £135 per personal document and £150 per business or property document, with preparation, witnessing, notarisation or certification and official record-keeping included.

For legal advisory work outside the notarial act itself, the published range is £400 to £750 per hour where an hourly basis is appropriate. A fixed fee is offered where the scope allows it.

Why two documents that look similar can cost differently

It is easy to compare two documents and assume the notary should charge the same amount. In practice, the document itself is only part of the job.

·         A simple identity copy may need much less review than a corporate Power of Attorney.

·         A property document may require more detailed checks on the signatory and intended overseas use.

·         A company document can require Companies House information and evidence of signing authority.

·         A document going overseas may need a specific certificate, translation or legalisation route.

·         An urgent appointment can require extra work outside the normal appointment window.

That is why we prefer to quote after seeing the document or at least knowing exactly what it is, where it is going and what the recipient has requested.

Notary fees are separate from Apostille and legalisation costs

This is one of the most important points when budgeting. The notary's fee and the government's legalisation fee are not automatically the same charge.

The UK Legalisation Office currently lists a standard paper-based Apostille at £45 per document, an e-Apostille at £35, a Next-Day paper service for registered businesses at £40 and a Restricted Urgent service for registered businesses at £100. Standard paper service also has return courier or postage costs.

These are government charges and can change. The current GOV.UK guidance also states that the standard paper route can take up to 25 working days, while an e-Apostille can take up to two working days. Next-Day and Restricted Urgent services have separate eligibility and process rules.

Our own Apostille services are priced separately from the government fee. Our published service page currently lists an Express Apostille from £89 and a Next Day Apostille from £99, with the package details explaining what is included. The exact route should be confirmed before ordering.

What if the destination needs embassy legalisation?

An Apostille may be enough for a country that accepts the Hague Apostille route. It is not a universal final step.

For some destinations, the document may need further embassy or consular legalisation after UK authentication. The exact requirement depends on the destination, the document and the receiving authority. Embassy charges are set by the relevant authority and can vary, so it would be misleading to give one blanket figure for every country.

This is where a quote should separate three things:

·         Our professional fee for the notarial or legalisation work.

·         Government or embassy disbursements charged by third parties.

·         Courier, postage, translation or other external costs.

Our published terms state that third-party disbursements are explained in advance and passed on without markup.

How long does a Notary Central London appointment take?

The appointment itself is often the shortest part of an international document job. If the document is straightforward, the identity checks are complete and there are no drafting issues, the appointment can be handled promptly.

Our terms state that the minimum fee for a single personal document is based on a 20-minute office appointment. The real total time can be longer because preparation, checking, correspondence, legalisation arrangements and record-keeping may also be involved.

For urgent matters, we regularly assist clients with short-notice work. Same-day availability is subject to the document, identity checks and our diary on the day.

The real turnaround is a chain, not one stopwatch

Imagine the process as a relay race. The notary completes one leg. The FCDO or another authority completes the next. If embassy legalisation is required, another organisation takes over. The final delivery then adds another step.

Stage	Typical planning point	What can cause delay
Document review and notarial appointment	Often same day where suitable	Missing ID, unclear wording, authority or capacity issues
FCDO paper Apostille	Depends on selected government service	Current FCDO workload, verification issues and delivery
e-Apostille	FCDO says up to 2 working days	Document eligibility or certification requirements
Embassy / consular legalisation	Varies by destination	Embassy schedules, holidays, document rules and further checks
Courier / return delivery	Depends on service and destination	Address, courier network and international transit

What makes an urgent job genuinely urgent?

Urgency is not just asking for a document quickly. It means the whole route has to work within the deadline.

·         The receiving authority must accept the chosen form of document.

·         The signatory must have suitable identification available.

·         Any corporate authority must be ready to evidence.

·         The Apostille or legalisation route must be available for that document.

·         Courier and embassy opening times must fit the deadline.

·         There must be enough time to correct a problem if the first review identifies one.

This is why we ask for the destination country and the reason for the document before promising a turnaround. A fast appointment is useful. A fast appointment followed by a rejected document is not.

Mobile notary services in Central London

Sometimes the problem is not the document. It is the diary. A director may be in a board meeting near St Paul's. A client may be working around Chancery Lane or Farringdon and have a completion call later that day. An elderly or unwell client may not be able to travel easily.

Our mobile notary service is available within London from £250 plus travel costs, subject to availability and the circumstances of the appointment. We can discuss the location, timing and document before confirming the fee.

We also provide urgent and short-notice services where practical. Our Central London coverage includes Chancery Lane, Soho, Farringdon and the City of London.

A clearer way to compare total costs

When you compare quotes from notaries, do not compare the headline number alone. Ask what the figure covers.

Cost item	Ask whether included	Why it matters
Document review	Yes / No	Complex documents need preparation time
Notarial execution	Yes / No	Core professional service
Apostille	Yes / No	May be a separate service or government fee
Embassy legalisation	Yes / No	Destination-dependent and often separate
Courier / postage	Yes / No	Return and international delivery can add cost
Translation	Yes / No	Some recipients require certified translation
Urgent / mobile appointment	Yes / No	Out-of-hours or travel work can carry an additional fee

Where private-client work fits into the cost picture

Not every international document is a property or company matter. Families may need Wills, Lasting Powers of Attorney, probate documents or trust paperwork prepared for use across borders.

That is where notarial work can overlap with a Wills and Probate Lawyer London service. For example, an estate may contain overseas property, or an attorney may need authority to deal with an asset abroad. The document may then need notarisation and legalisation as part of the wider legal plan.

The important point is coordination. A notarial document should fit the underlying transaction, not sit beside it as an afterthought.

What we need before giving a reliable quote

A useful quote starts with useful information. You do not need to understand the legal process yourself. We can work through it with you.

·         The exact document or a draft copy.

·         The country where the document will be used.

·         The name of the overseas authority or recipient, if known.

·         The number of documents and signatories.

·         Whether the signatory is an individual or company representative.

·         Your required completion date.

·         Whether you need Apostille or embassy legalisation.

·         Whether translation is required.

·         Whether you need an office, mobile, same-day or out-of-hours appointment.

With those details, we can usually tell you what needs to happen next and what costs are likely to sit outside the professional fee.

Our Central London approach to fees and timing

We are based at Fox Court, 14 Gray's Inn Road, Holborn, London WC1X 8HN, close to Chancery Lane. We also work with clients across Soho, Farringdon and the City of London.

We aim to make the process straightforward. First, we understand the document and destination. Then we confirm the professional fee and any known disbursements. After the appointment, we coordinate the next stage if Apostille or legalisation is required.

For a straightforward matter, this can feel refreshingly simple. For a complicated one, the value is in the checking. Either way, we would rather explain the cost at the start than send an unexpected invoice at the end.

Request your 2026 fee and turnaround estimate

If a document is tied to a property completion, corporate signing, overseas filing or family deadline, do not guess the timeline from the notary appointment alone. Tell us where the document is going, what it is for and when it is needed.

We can then assess the notarial work, identify whether an Apostille or further legalisation is needed and explain the likely costs before you proceed.

Frequently asked questions

1. What is the minimum notarial fee at Staple Inn Notaries?

Our published terms state a minimum of £135 for a single personal document, with the final fee confirmed after reviewing the matter.

2. Is an Apostille included in the notary fee?

No, Apostille and other third-party legalisation costs are separate unless a specific package states otherwise.

3. Can I get a same-day Notary Central London appointment?

Same-day and short-notice appointments are regularly offered where the document, checks and diary allow.

4. How much does an Apostille cost in 2026?

The FCDO currently charges £45 for standard paper legalisation and £35 for an e-Apostille, while service-provider packages can cost more because they include handling and other services.

5. Can you give me a fixed fee before I attend?

Yes, where the scope is clear we aim to confirm a fixed fee in advance, including any known disbursements.