Power of Attorney Notary Services in London
Get your Power of Attorney notarised, apostilled, and ready for use in the UK or abroad — same-day appointments at 19 Wigmore Street, Central London.
Whether you need a Power of Attorney for use in England or overseas, our notarial services team can draft, notarise, apostille, and legalise your power of attorney document — often within the same day. Our Power of Attorney Notary Services cover property sales, bank account matters, inheritance, court proceedings, and corporate transactions across every jurisdiction.
Call us on our phone number 020 7499 2605 for a free initial consultation, or email our email address notary@notarypubliclondon.co.uk. We can usually see you on the same or next business day at our Wigmore Street office, near Bond Street and Oxford Circus stations.
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Tell us about your Power of Attorney and we’ll get back to you within the hour. No obligation, fixed fees.
What Is a Power of Attorney?
A Power of Attorney (POA) is a legal document that gives someone you trust the authority to act on behalf of the principal in specific legal matters. These can include managing finances, making financial decisions, handling a bank account, or dealing with financial institutions — depending on the type of POA you create.
The person granting the general power is called the ‘Principal’ or ‘Donor’, and the person receiving the authority is the ‘attorney’ or ‘agent’. You stay in control as long as you have mental capacity, and you can cancel it at any time.
If you need a Power of Attorney that continues to operate should you lose mental capacity, you need a Lasting Power of Attorney. If your POA document is being sent to a foreign country, you will typically need it notarised — and often apostilled — before it can be used abroad. We always recommend seeking legal advice from a qualified professional before signing any Power of Attorney.
What Is a Notarised Power of Attorney?
A notarised Power of Attorney is one that has been officially signed and sealed by a Notary Public, confirming the identity of the signer and that they signed willingly. The notarisation gives the document legal weight, especially for use abroad or where third parties — banks, government bodies, or foreign law firms — need proof that the document is valid and properly executed.
In many cases, particularly for overseas use, a notarised POA must also receive an apostille certificate from the FCDO Legalisation Office for international recognition under the Hague Convention. The FCDO now issues e-Apostilles — digitally signed electronic apostille certificates — which are accepted by all Hague Convention member states and are faster to process than the traditional paper apostille. We can also provide certified copies of the notarised document for your records.
What Are the Different Types of Power of Attorney?
The right type of Power of Attorney depends on what you need it for and where it will be used. There are several types of powers of attorney, and third-party institutions may require a specific form. Here are the main types we see at our Wigmore Street office:
General Power of Attorney
A General Power of Attorney gives someone broad authority to act on your behalf in financial and legal matters — managing bank accounts, buying or selling property, handling investments, or dealing with government agencies and financial institutions. Typically used for short-term situations. Becomes invalid if you lose mental capacity.
Limited Power of Attorney
Also known as a Specific Power of Attorney, a Limited Power of Attorney grants authority for a specific task or within a set time period — for example, to sell a car, sign a contract, or manage a single transaction. Once the task is completed or the time expires, the authority ends automatically.
Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA)
Allows you to appoint a family member or trusted person to make decisions even if you lose mental capacity. Two types: Health and Welfare LPA (medical treatment, care) and Property and Financial Affairs LPA (bank accounts, bills, financial matters). Must be registered with the Office of the Public Guardian.
Durable Power of Attorney
Similar to a Lasting Power of Attorney in the UK but more common in the United States. A durable POA remains valid even if the principal loses mental capacity. If you are executing a durable POA for use in the US, we can notarise it at our London office.
Medical Power of Attorney
Grants authority to make healthcare decisions on your behalf. In England and Wales, this is handled through a Health and Welfare LPA. In different countries, the requirements and terminology vary — seek legal advice on the correct form for your jurisdiction.
Who Can Witness a Power of Attorney Signature in the UK?
The legal requirements in the UK are that a Power of Attorney is a Deed. It must be signed as a Deed in the presence of an adult witness who is not named in the document. The witness must be over 18 and should not be a relative of the donor or an attorney appointed in the POA. This applies in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland (Scotland has its own system).
For Powers of Attorney being sent overseas, most foreign jurisdictions require the document to be notarised in the presence of a Notary Public — not simply witnessed by a friend or family member. The notarisation provides an additional layer of identity verification and legal formality that foreign authorities and financial institutions expect.
Why Might You Need Your Power of Attorney Notarised?
You may need to sign your Power of Attorney before a Notary Public if you are:
- Buying or selling property abroad — authorising lawyers and estate agents to sign on your behalf
- Managing overseas assets — bank accounts, financial investments, or business interests in another country
- Dealing with overseas probate — granting authority to foreign lawyers to handle an estate
- Involved in foreign court proceedings — authorising a lawyer to represent you in court
- Acting for an elderly relative abroad — handling their financial affairs in a foreign jurisdiction
- Registering a company overseas — appointing representatives in a different country
- Handling personal documents — such as a marriage certificate, death certificate, or civil partnership certificate that needs notarisation and legalisation alongside a POA
- Adding legal weight to a high-value transaction — a notarized power of attorney demonstrates that the donor’s identity has been independently verified
In some legal systems, signing a Power of Attorney before a Notary is an absolute requirement. Spain is a prime example — see our Spanish Power of Attorney section below.
If you need a Power of Attorney for use in India, see our India Power of Attorney section below, or visit our India Legalisation Hub for the full country guide — including what changed when India joined the Hague Apostille Convention on 14 January 2025.
How Is a Power of Attorney Notarised?
Our Wigmore Street office handles the full process — from drafting through to apostille. Here is how it works:
Book Your Appointment
Call us on 020 7499 2605 or use the form below to book your notarisation appointment. We offer same-day and next-day slots at 19 Wigmore Street. Bring valid photo ID, proof of address, and any instructions from the receiving lawyer or authority abroad.
Attend — In Person or Online
Attend our Wigmore Street office in person, or join by video call where the receiving authority permits online notarisation. Our Notary Public verifies your identity, confirms you understand the document, and witnesses your signature. If a company is involved, we conduct a Companies House search to verify authority.
Sign & Collect
Sign the Power of Attorney before the Notary, who applies the official notarial seal and certificate. We then handle the FCDO apostille (including e-Apostille) and any embassy legalisation required. We also provide certified copies for your records.
What Documents Do You Need to Bring?
Unsigned Power of Attorney — The document itself, ready for signing
Government-issued photo ID — Passport or driving licence (current, not expired)
Proof of Address — Utility bill or bank statement (dated within 3 months)
Foreign Lawyer’s Instructions — Any specific requirements from the receiving authority (if applicable)
Need a Power of Attorney Notarised?
Same-day appointments. Fixed fees. Free initial consultation.
What Is a Spanish Power of Attorney (Poder Notarial)?
When Do You Need a Spanish Power of Attorney?
Common situations where a Poder Notarial is required include:
- Spanish property purchase or sale — authorising a lawyer (abogado) or gestor to sign the escritura at a Spanish notary on your behalf
- Spanish bank account access — granting authority to open, manage, or close accounts at Spanish banks
- Spanish inheritance proceedings — including Declaración de Herederos and acceptance of inheritance
- Spanish company matters — appointing representatives for corporate filings, tax matters, or company formation
How We Handle Your Spanish Power of Attorney
At our Wigmore Street office, we manage the entire process from start to finish:
Bilingual Drafting
We prepare the Poder Notarial in bilingual UK/Spanish format, working with your Spanish lawyer’s instructions where provided.
Notarisation
The donor attends our office with valid photo ID and signs before our Notary Public, who verifies identity and understanding.
Apostille & Translation
We submit to the FCDO for apostille (Spain is a Hague Convention member) and arrange sworn translation by a Traductor Jurado from our panel.
For a detailed guide on the Spanish requirements, visit our dedicated Spanish Power of Attorney page. You can also read about our apostille service or find out how video-witness notarisation works if you cannot attend in person.
How Do You Notarise a Power of Attorney for India?
What Changed When India Joined the Hague Convention?
Before January 2025, a Power of Attorney for India had to be notarised, then legalised by the Indian High Commission in London — a process that could take weeks. Now that India is a Hague Convention member, an FCDO apostille stamp is sufficient. This is faster, cheaper, and more predictable.
When Do You Need an Indian Power of Attorney?
Common situations where NRI (Non-Resident Indian) clients need a Power of Attorney notarised in London include:
- Indian property transactions — authorising a family member or lawyer in India to buy, sell, or manage property on your behalf
- Indian bank account management — granting authority to operate, close, or transfer funds from Indian bank accounts
- Indian inheritance and succession — appointing a representative to handle probate, succession certificates, or mutation of property records
- Indian court proceedings — authorising an advocate to represent you in litigation or arbitration in India
- Indian company and tax matters — appointing representatives for ROC filings, GST compliance, or Income Tax proceedings
How We Handle Your India Power of Attorney
Draft or Review
Bring your unsigned Power of Attorney — often prepared by your Indian lawyer or advocate. We review it to ensure it meets Indian legal requirements and is ready for notarisation.
Notarisation
The donor attends our Wigmore Street office with valid government-issued photo ID (passport), proof of address, and any supporting documents. Our Notary Public verifies identity and witnesses the signing.
FCDO Apostille
We submit the notarised Power of Attorney to the FCDO Legalisation Office for a Hague Apostille. Since India joined the Convention, no embassy attestation is required. We offer a next-day apostille service.
Stamp duty note: Indian Powers of Attorney must be stamped under the Indian Stamp Act within three months of execution. Your Indian lawyer will handle the stamping and adjudication on receipt of the apostilled document in India. We can advise on the process but the stamp duty obligation arises in India, not in the UK.
For the full country guide — including document checklists, embassy requirements before January 2025, and current post-Hague process — visit our India Legalisation Hub.
Remote Online Notarization — Is It an Option?
Remote Online Notarization is becoming increasingly common for Power of Attorney Notary Services. Whether Remote Online Notarization is accepted depends on the legal requirements in the territory where your POA document will be used. We always advise our clients to ask the receiving party — lawyer, bank, or financial institution — whether Remote Online Notarization is accepted for their specific power of attorney need.
If the receiving authority accepts Remote Online Notarization, we can notarise your power of attorney form via video call through our online notary service. Our notarization services via video call follow the same identity verification process as in-person appointments. We must state on the notarial certificate that Remote Online Notarization was used.
Important: Because a power of attorney document is a Deed, the donor’s signature must be witnessed by an adult who is physically present in the same room during the video call. This witness cannot be a party named in the document. Remote Online Notarization does not remove the witnessing requirement — it simply allows the Notary to be present via video rather than in the same room.
We also offer a mobile notary service if the donor is unable to travel to our Wigmore Street office — for example, if they are elderly or housebound. The UK government’s GOV.UK website provides guidance on legalisation at GOV.UK. For Power of Attorney Notary Services in the United Kingdom, the apostille stamp is issued by the FCDO Legalisation Office — details are available on GOV.UK.
Why Choose Edward Young for Power of Attorney Notarisation?
- Regulated by the Faculty Office of the Archbishop of Canterbury — the governing body for Notaries Public in England and Wales
- Same-day and next-day appointments — we can usually see you on the day you call at our Central London office
- Fixed fees with no hidden costs — you know exactly what you are paying before you commit
- Full apostille and legalisation service — we submit to the FCDO Legalisation Office every day with a counter service for guaranteed next-day turnaround. The apostille stamp is issued by the UK government’s FCDO
- STEP qualified — our team is trained in cross-border estate and trust matters, including notarial services for important legal documents
- Member of The Notaries Society — the professional body for practising notaries in England and Wales
- Central London location — 19 Wigmore Street, a 3-minute walk from Bond Street station
- Bilingual drafting available — including Spanish (Poder Notarial), with sworn translation arranged through our panel
What Do Clients Say About Power of Attorney Notarisation?
We are proud of our 5-star Google reviews. Here is what clients say about our Power of Attorney notarisation service:
“Needed a Power of Attorney notarised urgently for a property sale in Spain. Edward Young’s team handled the notarisation, apostille, and sworn translation within 48 hours. Exceptional service.”
“Very professional and efficient. They explained exactly what was needed for my POA to be accepted in the UAE and handled the full legalisation chain. Fixed fee as quoted — no surprises.”
“I needed a Lasting Power of Attorney certified for an elderly parent. The team at Wigmore Street were patient, thorough, and accommodated a same-day appointment. Highly recommend.”
“Used the video notarisation service for a general Power of Attorney for use in the US. Seamless process — everything explained clearly and the document was couriered to my lawyer within days.”
Read our reviews on Google — search “Edward Young Notaries”
Frequently Asked Questions
Edward Young Notaries & Lawyers
19 Wigmore Street, London W1U 1PH
Phone: +44 20 7499 2605
Email: notary@notarypubliclondon.co.uk
Monday – Friday, 09:00 – 17:30
Credentials & Memberships
Regulated by the Faculty Office of the Archbishop of Canterbury
Member of The Notaries Society
STEP Qualified
ACSP Registered
Ready to Get Your Power of Attorney Notarised?
Same-day appointments at 19 Wigmore Street. Fixed fees. Free initial consultation. We handle notarisation, apostille, and legalisation — all under one roof.