What does a notarised document look like?
There is no standard format as to what a notarised document should look like. Also each document that a client needs notarising is different and the requirements in regard to it are different, country-by-country.
This page gives a general idea of what you should expect:
- Documents you sign: For a document such as a power of attorney, affidavit, declaration, deed etc, you should expect that:
- that I will often add my signature (often as a witness) and sometimes my seal and other details about myself; and
- I will attach a notarial covering certificate to the document. See what a notarial covering certificate is and contains page.
See an example of a notarised power of attorney.
- Official forms that you complete and sign: You should normally expect that:
- I will have to complete a section of the form and add my details, signature and my seal; and
- if the form runs to more than one page I will have to bind the pages together securely (unless I am specifically instructed not to).
See an example of a notarised official form.
- Copies of documents you provide: For copies of documents such as a passport, utility bills, bank statements, qualification certificates etc, you should normally expect:
- that I will make my own copy of the document you provide;
- that the copy will be in black and white (unless there specific instructions that the copy must be in colour);
- that the copy will not contain any wording, my signature or seal (unless I there are specific instructions that I must do so)
- I will attach a notarial covering certificate to the copy of your document. See what a notarial covering certificate is and contains page.
See an example of a notarised copy of a passport.
There are certain classes of documents I cannot copy (or use copies), such as birth, marriage, civil partnership or death certificates. See this page page of my website for details on why I cannot copy these documents.
Last modified: 15 February 2016