Remote Notary vs In-Person Notary: Which Do You Need?
Remote notarisation has made the process faster and more convenient for many people — but it isn't always the right choice. As a leading provider of remote notary services in England and Wales, Staple Inn Notaries offers both remote and in-person appointments, and part of our role is advising clients honestly on which one their document actually needs, rather than defaulting to whichever is easiest for us to offer.
Here's how to work out which appointment type is right for you.
When a Remote Appointment Works Well
Remote notarisation, carried out over video call under Faculty Office conditions, is well suited to:
Powers of attorney and deeds – where the notary's role is witnessing your signature
Company documents – certificates of incorporation, good standing, and board resolutions
Certified copies – of passports, degree certificates, and similar personal documents
Situations where travel is impractical – you're based outside London, unwell, or simply pressed for time
If your document falls into one of these categories and you're physically located in England or Wales at the time of the call, a remote appointment is often the quicker option, and can usually be arranged same-day.
When You'll Need an In-Person Appointment
Some situations still require you to attend in person:
Oaths and statutory declarations – these cannot currently be notarised remotely under Faculty Office rules, regardless of the document type
Documents for a jurisdiction that doesn't accept remote notarisation – some receiving countries or institutions still expect the traditional in-person process
Complex matters requiring extended review – where a longer consultation is more practical face-to-face
Where original documents need to be physically examined – rather than reviewed on screen
If any of these apply, we'll tell you before you book, so you're not caught out expecting a video appointment that isn't available for your document.
The Question That Actually Decides It
In practice, the choice usually comes down to two things: the type of document, and where it's going. A power of attorney for personal use in a country with an established practice of accepting remote notarisation is a straightforward remote booking. The same document destined for a jurisdiction that insists on in-person notarisation, or accompanied by a sworn statement, isn't.
This is why we ask about both the document and its destination at the enquiry stage — it's the fastest way to confirm which appointment type you actually need, rather than guessing.
Not Sure Which You Need?
If you're unsure, don't book blind. Get in touch with details of your document and where it's going, and we'll confirm whether a remote or in-person appointment is right for your situation — and get you booked in accordingly.
Our notarisation fees are the same flat rate whichever appointment type you need: £135 for personal documents and £150 for commercial or property documents.
Staple Inn Notaries
Fox Court, 14 Gray's Inn Road, Holborn, London WC1X 8HN
Tel: 020 3488 4195
Enquire: internationalnotary.co.uk/contact-us
About the Author
Sheikh Najam LLB TEP MA MBA is a Notary Public for England and Wales, European Attorney, and STEP-qualified Private Wealth and International Tax Lawyer, appointed by the Court of Faculties under Royal Authority and regulated through the Faculty Office of the Archbishop of Canterbury. He is CEO of Staple Inn Notaries and serves as Vice President for Notarial Affairs and Advisory Board Member at Justinian Lawyers, the Berlin-headquartered international legal network of the Association of European Attorneys (AEA).
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