A notary public stamp and seal is an official mark applied by a qualified UK notary to authenticate a notarised document. Edward Young Notaries & Lawyers, regulated by the Faculty Office of the Archbishop of Canterbury, provides same-day notarisation with stamp and seal authentication at 19 Wigmore Street, London.
Notary Public Stamp and Seal in the UK
Everything you need to know about notary stamps, embossed seals, and how official notarisation works in the United Kingdom.
What Is a Notary Public Stamp and Seal?
A notary public stamp and seal are the official marks that a qualified UK notary applies to a document to confirm it has been properly notarised. They serve as proof that the notary has verified the identity of the signatories, witnessed the signing, and confirmed the document’s authenticity.
In the United Kingdom, every practising notary is appointed by the Faculty Office of the Archbishop of Canterbury and must use their personal stamp and seal on all notarised documents. Without these marks, a document cannot be considered properly notarised.
Notary Stamp vs Notary Seal â What Is the Difference?
Although the terms are often used interchangeably, a notary stamp and a notary seal are different things. Understanding the distinction matters because some receiving authorities require one or both.
| Feature | Notary Stamp | Notary Seal |
|---|---|---|
| Appearance | Ink-based mark on the document | Raised or embossed impression |
| What it contains | Notary’s name, practice address, commission details | Unique design registered with the Faculty Office |
| Purpose | Identifies the notary and confirms notarisation | Adds physical authentication and security |
| Tamper resistance | Standard â visible ink mark | High â embossed impressions are difficult to forge |
| International use | Required for all notarised documents | Often specifically required for documents used abroad |
In practice, a UK notary will apply both the ink stamp and the embossed seal to every document. This provides the highest level of authentication and is accepted by authorities worldwide. If you need to understand what makes a document official, our guide to notarised documents explains the full process.
When Do You Need a Notary Public Stamp and Seal?
You need a notary stamp and seal whenever a document must be formally notarised for legal, commercial, or international purposes. The receiving party â whether a foreign government, court, bank, or regulatory body â will typically specify that documents must be notarised.
Personal documents
Statutory declarations â name changes, affidavits, declarations of truth
Powers of attorney for use in the UK or abroad
Notarised passport copies and proof of identity
Business and corporate documents
Corporate notary documents â board resolutions, company certificates, shareholder agreements
Commercial contracts and agreements for international counterparties
Certificates of good standing and certificates of incumbency
International and apostille documents
Documents requiring FCDO apostille legalisation for Hague Convention countries
Visa applications, foreign bank account openings, and overseas property transactions
Degree and qualification legalisation for work or study abroad
Need Documents Legalised for a Specific Country?
Different countries have different legalisation requirements â some accept a notary stamp and apostille alone, while others require consular legalisation or embassy attestation on top. Our legalisation requirements hub covers the exact process for each destination country, including which documents need notarisation, which need an apostille, and which require additional steps. Check your country before you start â it could save you time and money.
Get a Fixed-Fee Quote
Tell us what you need notarised and we will get back to you within the hour. No obligation, no hidden costs.
How Does Notarisation With Stamp and Seal Work?
Getting a document notarised with an official stamp and seal at Edward Young Notaries & Lawyers is straightforward. The entire process typically takes a single appointment.
1. Send Your Documents
Email or bring your documents. We confirm what is needed and quote a fixed fee.
2. Attend Your Appointment
Visit us at 19 Wigmore Street. Bring valid ID. We verify, witness, and notarise.
3. Receive Stamped & Sealed Documents
Your documents are stamped, sealed, and ready. We can arrange apostille legalisation if needed.
How Can You Verify a UK Notary’s Stamp and Seal?
If you receive a notarised document and need to confirm the notary’s credentials, there are several steps you can take. A genuine notary stamp will always include the notary’s full name and practice address. The embossed seal will match the design registered with the notary’s regulatory body.
You can check the notary’s details against their professional listing, confirm they hold current practising certificates, and verify their membership of The Notaries Society. For international documents, the receiving authority may also verify the notary’s signature through the apostille process.
Understanding what a notary public is and how the profession is regulated can help you confirm that your document has been properly authenticated.
Why Choose Edward Young Notaries & Lawyers?
We are a specialist notary practice in Central London with a track record of fast, professional notarisation for individuals and businesses. Here is what sets us apart.
Regulated by the Faculty Office
Our notary, Wendy, is appointed by the Faculty Office of the Archbishop of Canterbury â the sole authority regulating notaries in England and Wales.
Same-Day Notarisation Available
Need your documents stamped and sealed urgently? We offer same-day notary appointments at our Wigmore Street office.
Fixed Fees â No Surprises
Every notarisation is quoted at a fixed fee before you book. No hidden charges, no hourly rates. See our fees page for full details.
5-Star Google Reviews
Rated 5 stars on Google by clients who value our speed, professionalism, and clear communication.
STEP Qualified & ACSP Registered
Our principal is STEP-qualified (Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners) and the firm is an HMRC-registered Authorised Corporate Service Provider.
What Our Clients Say
Trusted by individuals and businesses across London and internationally.
“Incredibly efficient service. Documents were stamped, sealed, and apostilled the same day. Could not have asked for more.”
“Very professional and explained the whole process clearly. Fixed fee quoted upfront â no surprises. Highly recommend.”
“Needed a power of attorney notarised urgently for Spain. Booked same-day, done within 30 minutes. Brilliant service.”
“Used them for company documents going to the Middle East. Notarised and apostilled within two days. Will use again.”
Frequently Asked Questions About Notary Stamps and Seals
A notary stamp is an ink-based mark containing the notary’s name, commission details, and practice address. A notary seal is an embossed or raised impression pressed into the document, adding a physical layer of authentication. In UK notarial practice, both are typically used together to verify that a document has been properly notarised.
Yes. Every document notarised by a UK notary public must bear the notary’s official stamp and seal. This is a requirement of the Faculty Office, which regulates all notaries in England and Wales. Without the stamp and seal, the document is not considered properly notarised.
At Edward Young Notaries & Lawyers, standard notarisation with stamp and seal starts from £125 plus VAT. The exact fee depends on the document type and complexity. All fees are fixed and quoted upfront â no hidden costs.
Yes. Edward Young Notaries & Lawyers offers same-day notarisation at 19 Wigmore Street, Central London. Contact us on +44 20 7499 2605 to arrange a same-day appointment. Documents are typically stamped, sealed, and returned within the appointment.
A notary stamp confirms that a document has been notarised in the UK. An apostille is a separate legalisation certificate issued by the FCDO that authenticates the notary’s signature for use in countries that are members of the Hague Apostille Convention. If your document is for international use, you may need both notarisation and an apostille. Learn more about the difference between apostille and notary.
All UK notaries must be appointed by the Faculty Office of the Archbishop of Canterbury. You can verify any notary’s status by searching the public register on the Faculty Office website at facultyoffice.org.uk. A genuine notary stamp will include the notary’s full name and practice address.
About UK Notary Services
Read More About UK Notary Services
Discover what a notary public is and how they differ from other legal professionals. Learn how notarisation works in the UK, including who can certify a document and the key differences between a notary and a solicitor. If you cannot visit our office in person, explore our mobile notary service or online notary options. For urgent matters, we offer same-day notary appointments in London. We also provide specialist notary translation services. Find out what counts as notarised documents and understand the difference between an apostille and notarisation.
Edward Young Notaries & Lawyers
Address: 19 Wigmore Street, London W1U 1PH
Phone: +44 20 7499 2605
Email: notary@notarypubliclondon.co.uk
Hours: Monday â Friday, 09:00 â 17:30
Regulated by: Faculty Office of the Archbishop of Canterbury
Member of: The Notaries Society | STEP (Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners)
ACSP: Registered Authorised Corporate Service Provider
Need a Document Notarised With Official Stamp and Seal?
Contact us today for a fixed-fee quote. Same-day appointments available at our Central London office.