USA Document Notarisation Services for UK Clients
- S Najam
- May 22
- 4 min read
Updated: Jun 8
If you are based in the United Kingdom and need to use documents in the United States of America (USA), you may require notarisation, signature authentication, certified copies, affidavits, or identity verification before the documents will be accepted by US lawyers, banks, title companies, courts, universities, or businesses.
At Staple Inn Notaries and International Lawyers, I regularly assist UK-based individuals, companies, investors, and international families with the notarisation of documents intended for use in the USA.
Unlike many other jurisdictions, most USA documents used by UK-based clients do not require apostille certification. In most cases, a properly notarised document by an English Notary is sufficient for acceptance in the United States.
This guide explains the process for UK-based clients requiring USA document notarisation services.
What Is USA Document Notarisation?
USA document notarisation is the process by which an English Notary authenticates a document, signature, declaration, affidavit, power of attorney, or certified copy intended for use in the USA.
Depending on the document and the requirements of the US institution involved, the process may include:
Witnessing signatures
Certifying copies
Preparing notarial certificates
Verifying identity
Confirming corporate authority
Administering affidavits and declarations
In England and Wales, a Notary is a specialist lawyer authorised to prepare and authenticate documents for international use.
Common Documents Notarised for Use in the USA
UK-based clients frequently require notarisation of the following documents for use in the USA:
Personal Documents
Passports
Birth certificates
Marriage certificates
Divorce certificates
Educational certificates
DBS certificates
Affidavits and declarations
Powers of attorney
Probate documents
Trust documentation
Consent letters
Corporate and Commercial Documents
Company incorporation documents
Board resolutions
Shareholder resolutions
Commercial agreements
Banking documents
Tax forms
Certificates of incumbency
Intellectual property documents
Corporate powers of attorney
Regulatory and compliance documents
Why Do UK-Based Clients Need Documents Notarised for the USA?
There are many situations where UK-based individuals and companies require notarised documents for use in the USA. Examples include:
US Property Transactions
Clients purchasing, refinancing, or selling property in the USA commonly require:
Powers of attorney
Identity verification documents
Mortgage-related documentation
Affidavits and declarations
Opening US Bank Accounts
US banks and financial institutions often require notarised identity and corporate documents before opening accounts for overseas individuals or companies.
US Probate and Estate Matters
Cross-border estates involving US assets may require:
Probate documentation
Affidavits
Trust documentation
Certified copies of identification documents
Immigration and Visa Applications
US immigration lawyers and authorities may require:
Sworn declarations
Identity documents
Educational certificates
Consent documentation
US Corporate and Commercial Transactions
UK companies dealing with US businesses often require notarised:
Contracts
Board resolutions
Corporate authority documents
Banking paperwork
Regulatory filings
Do USA Documents Need an Apostille?
In my experience, most documents intended for use in the USA do not require apostille certification. This is an important distinction.
Many UK clients incorrectly assume that all international documents require an Apostille. However, for the USA, this is often unnecessary. In practice, many American:
Law firms
Banks
Title companies
Real estate agents
Financial institutions
Corporate service providers
simply require the document to be properly notarised by an English Notary.
An Apostille may still occasionally be requested in certain circumstances, particularly where:
A government authority is involved
Court proceedings require it
Specific state requirements apply
A US institution expressly requests apostille certification
However, for many routine private and commercial transactions, notarisation alone is usually sufficient. This often makes the process significantly quicker and more cost-effective for UK-based clients.
The USA Document Notarisation Process in England
The process for UK-based clients usually involves the following stages:
Step 1 — Review of the Document
The notary reviews:
The document itself
The intended use in the USA
The requirements of the receiving US institution
Whether apostille certification is actually necessary
Step 2 — Identity and Authority Verification
The notary verifies:
Identity
Address
Capacity
Corporate authority (where applicable)
This forms part of the notary’s regulatory obligations in England and Wales.
Step 3 — Notarial Certification
The notary may:
Witness signatures
Certify copies
Prepare notarial certificates
Authenticate corporate authority
Administer declarations or affidavits
Step 4 — Apostille (Only if Required)
If the receiving US institution specifically requests it, the document may then be submitted to the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) for Apostille certification. However, in many USA-related matters, this additional step is unnecessary.
Can USA Documents Be Notarised Remotely?
In certain circumstances, yes. UK-based clients frequently send documents electronically or by courier for:
Review
Certification
Preparation of notarial wording
Depending on the matter, identity verification may be completed:
In person
Via secure video verification
Through certified identification procedures
However, many documents still require physical signature witnessing before an English Notary.
USA Notary Requirements vs English Notary Requirements
Many UK clients are unfamiliar with the difference between a US Notary Public and an English Notary.
In many parts of the United States, a Notary Public primarily acts as a signature witness. In England and Wales, however, a Notary is a highly trained specialist lawyer with international authority and responsibilities.
English notaries regularly deal with:
Cross-border legal transactions
International authentication
Corporate authority verification
International private client matters
International property transactions
Overseas probate and trust matters
This is one reason why English notarised documents are widely accepted in the United States.
Why Use a Specialist London Notary for USA Documents?
American institutions often have highly specific document requirements. Errors can result in:
Rejected documents
Delays in property transactions
Banking issues
Corporate transaction problems
Probate complications
Immigration delays
A specialist London notary experienced in USA-related matters can help ensure documents are prepared correctly and accepted internationally.
At Staple Inn Notaries and International Lawyers Central London, I regularly assist:
International families
High-net-worth individuals
Entrepreneurs
Property investors
Corporate clients
Solicitors
Accountants
International law firms
with USA document notarisation matters.
About Sheikh Najam TEP
Sheikh Najam is a City of London-based Notary/Notaire and STEP-qualified Private Wealth Lawyer advising UK and international clients on cross-border legal matters, international documentation, trusts, estates, tax, and dispute resolution.
He is authorised to practise law throughout England & Wales, appointed by the Court of Faculties, and regulated through the Faculty Office of the Archbishop of Canterbury.
His practice focuses particularly on:
International private client matters
USA and cross-border legal documentation
International property transactions
Trusts and succession
Corporate structuring
International dispute resolution
Contact Staple Inn Notaries and International Lawyers
For assistance with USA document notarisation in London, contact:
Fox Court, 14 Gray’s Inn Road, London WC1X 8HN
Telephone: +44 20 3488 4195
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