Notary Publics are appointed by the Archbishop of Canterbury and form one of the oldest branches of lawyers in England, but they still have an important role today in international commerce.

Notaries witness and authenticate documents such as powers of attorney to facilitate property purchases abroad and prepare certificates and affidavits, for example, an affidavit certifying that a person is free to marry for an overseas wedding.

In most cases, the document signed by a Notary Public will need to have an apostille affixed by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and some documents will need to go to the Embassy of the country in which it is to be used for legalisation.

Sarah Crowther is a member of the Notaries Society. Notaries are regulated through The Faculty Office, 1 The Sanctuary, Westminster, London, SW1P 3JT.

Sarah’s usual working days for notary matters are Monday, Tuesday and Thursday between 9.30am to 5pm. An appointment to see Sarah for a notary matter must be made in advance and is subject to availability. Please note Sarah does not work on Wednesday afternoons or Fridays and will therefore not respond to notary enquiries on these days.