A notarised letter is a document that has been signed in the presence of a notary public, who verifies the signer’s identity and witnesses the signature before attaching their official seal. In the UK, notaries public are specialist lawyers regulated by the Faculty Office of the Archbishop of Canterbury. Edward Young Notaries & Lawyers provides notarisation services from 19 Wigmore Street, London.
What Is a Notarised Letter? A Complete UK Guide
Everything you need to know about notarised letters — what they are, when you need one, and how to get a letter notarised in the UK.
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What Does Notarised Mean?
When a document is described as “notarised” (or “notarized” in American English), it means it has been formally authenticated by a notary public. The notary confirms the signer’s identity, ensures they are signing voluntarily, and then applies their official seal and signature to the document.
This is not the same as having a document witnessed. A witness simply watches you sign. A notary public is a qualified legal professional who performs an official legal act — the notarial act — which gives the document formal legal standing, particularly for use abroad.
In the UK, the terms “notarised” and “notarized” mean the same thing. The spelling difference reflects British versus American English conventions. You may also see the terms “meaning of notarised” or “what do notarized mean” searched online — they all refer to this same process of formal authentication by a notary.
Notarisation is recognised internationally through a system of seals, apostilles, and legalisation. This is why foreign governments, courts, banks, and registries ask for documents to be notarised — the notary’s seal acts as an internationally recognised mark of authenticity.
How Does Notarisation Differ Between the UK and the US?
The word “notarized” appears in most online search results because the majority of content is written from a US perspective. However, UK and US notarisation are very different, and understanding the distinction matters if you are based in England or Wales.
| UK Notary Public | US Notary Public | |
|---|---|---|
| Qualification | Postgraduate legal qualification (typically 7+ years of training) | Short course and state exam (varies by state) |
| Regulator | Faculty Office of the Archbishop of Canterbury | Individual state governments |
| Scope | International document authentication, oaths, affidavits, powers of attorney | Primarily witnessing signatures and administering oaths |
| Legal status | Qualified lawyer with practising certificate | Not a lawyer in most states |
| Seal | Personal seal registered with the Faculty Office | State-issued stamp or seal |
This distinction is important. When a foreign authority asks for a “notarized letter,” they are asking for a document authenticated by a notary public in your jurisdiction. In England and Wales, that means a notary public regulated by the Faculty Office — not a solicitor, not a commissioner for oaths, and not a bank manager.
What Types of Notarised Letters Are There?
Notarised letters cover a wide range of documents. The common thread is that each one requires formal authentication by a notary public before it will be accepted by the receiving authority.
Consent Letters for Child Travel
A notarised letter of consent authorises a child to travel internationally with one parent, a grandparent, or another adult. Many countries — including the USA, Canada, South Africa, and Brazil — require this letter to be notarised to prevent child abduction.
Authorisation Letters
A notarised authorisation letter (or letter of authority) grants someone permission to act on your behalf — for example, to collect documents, manage property overseas, or deal with a foreign bank. These are often required for use in the Middle East, India, and Africa.
Affidavits & Statutory Declarations
An affidavit is a written statement made under oath. A statutory declaration is a formal statement of fact. Both can be notarised for international use — for example, to confirm identity, change of name, or marital status for foreign proceedings.
Powers of Attorney
A notarised power of attorney authorises someone to make legal or financial decisions on your behalf in another country. Most foreign jurisdictions require the document to be notarised and, in many cases, apostilled as well.
Other commonly notarised documents include company resolutions, certified copies of passports, academic transcripts, and medical reports for use abroad.
When Do You Need a Notarised Letter in the UK?
You typically need a notarised letter when a document is going to be used outside the UK — or when a foreign government, court, bank, or institution requires formal proof of authenticity.
Common situations include:
- Sending a consent letter for a child travelling abroad with one parent
- Granting someone authority to act on your behalf in another country
- Buying or selling property overseas
- Setting up a company or bank account abroad
- Submitting documents to a foreign court or government registry
- Providing identity documents for overseas visa or immigration applications
- Confirming your signature on contracts destined for international use
If the receiving party specifically asks for a document to be “notarized” or “notarised,” you will need a notary public — not a solicitor. A solicitor’s witnessing does not carry the same international recognition as a notarial act.
How Do You Get a Letter Notarised?
Getting a letter notarised at a notary’s office is straightforward. The process typically takes 20–30 minutes and follows three steps.
Send Your Documents
Email the document you need notarised, along with details of who requires it and where it will be used. The notary will confirm what is needed and quote a fixed fee.
Attend the Appointment
Visit the notary’s office with valid photo ID (passport or driving licence). The notary will verify your identity, explain the document, and watch you sign it.
Receive Your Notarised Letter
The notary applies their official seal and signature. If an apostille is needed, this can be arranged on the same day.
What Does NOT Count as Notarisation?
One of the most common mistakes people make is assuming that any form of witnessing or certification is the same as notarisation. It is not. Here is what does not qualify.
| Not Notarisation | Why It Falls Short |
|---|---|
| Solicitor witnessing a signature | A solicitor can witness a signature, but this is not a notarial act. Most foreign authorities will not accept it as “notarised.” |
| Commissioner for Oaths | Can administer oaths for domestic UK use, but has no international recognition. |
| Certified copy by a solicitor | May be accepted domestically, but notarial certification is required for international use. |
| Bank manager or GP letter | Sometimes used for domestic identity confirmation, but carries no legal weight internationally. |
| Online notarisation (US-style) | Remote online notarisation is permitted in many US states but is not recognised in England and Wales. UK notarisation requires an in-person appointment. |
If a foreign authority asks for a notarised document, always check whether they specifically require a notary public. Using the wrong type of professional can mean your document is rejected and you have to start the process again.
How Much Does It Cost to Notarise a Letter?
The cost of notarising a letter in the UK typically ranges from £80 to £200 plus VAT per document, depending on the complexity, the number of signatures, and whether additional steps like an apostille or legalisation are required.
At Edward Young Notaries & Lawyers, all fees are quoted upfront on a fixed-fee basis — no hourly rates and no hidden costs. Factors that affect the price include the type of document, the country it is being sent to, and whether same-day or urgent service is needed.
For an accurate quote, contact the practice on +44 20 7499 2605 or via the online enquiry form.
Why Choose Edward Young Notaries & Lawyers?
Edward Young Notaries & Lawyers is a specialist notary practice based at 19 Wigmore Street in central London, regulated by the Faculty Office of the Archbishop of Canterbury.
- Qualified notary public — regulated by the Faculty Office, member of the Notaries Society, STEP-qualified
- Fixed fees — quoted upfront with no hidden charges
- Same-day service — urgent appointments available, often within hours
- Central London location — Wigmore Street, W1U 1PH, minutes from Bond Street and Baker Street stations
- Apostille service — notarisation and apostille arranged on the same day
- 5-star Google reviews — consistently rated by clients for professionalism and speed
What Clients Say
Rated 5 stars on Google Reviews.
“Incredibly professional and efficient. Had my documents notarised and apostilled on the same day. Highly recommend.”
“Edward was extremely helpful and made the whole notarisation process very straightforward. Fixed fee quoted upfront.”
“Needed a consent letter notarised urgently for my daughter’s travel. Seen the same day. Fantastic service.”
“Clear advice, no jargon, and the document was ready within the hour. Exactly what I needed.”
Frequently Asked Questions
A notarised letter is a document that has been signed in front of a notary public, who verifies the signer’s identity, witnesses the signature, and attaches their official seal and signature. In the UK, notaries public are qualified lawyers regulated by the Faculty Office of the Archbishop of Canterbury. A notarised letter carries legal weight internationally because the notary’s seal is recognised by foreign governments, courts, and institutions.
In the UK, “notarised” (also spelled “notarized” in American English) means that a document has been authenticated by a notary public — a specialist legal professional regulated by the Faculty Office. The notary verifies the signer’s identity, witnesses the signature, and applies their official seal. This is different from simply having a signature witnessed by a solicitor.
Visit a notary public in person. Bring valid photo ID (passport or driving licence), the document to be notarised, and any supporting paperwork. The notary will verify your identity, explain the document, watch you sign it, then apply their official seal and signature. The process typically takes 20–30 minutes. At Edward Young Notaries & Lawyers, same-day appointments are available by calling +44 20 7499 2605.
Witnessing simply means someone watches you sign a document. Notarisation is a formal legal act performed by a notary public who verifies your identity, confirms you understand the document, watches you sign, and then applies their official seal and signature. A notarised document is internationally recognised; a witnessed signature generally is not.
The cost typically ranges from £80 to £200 plus VAT per document, depending on the complexity and number of signatures. Most UK notaries, including Edward Young Notaries & Lawyers, charge fixed fees quoted upfront with no hidden costs. Contact +44 20 7499 2605 for a quote.
A notarised letter of consent for child travel is a document signed by one or both parents authorising a child to travel abroad with another adult or alone. Countries including the USA, Canada, South Africa, and Brazil require this letter to be notarised to prevent child abduction. The notary verifies the parent’s identity and applies their official seal.
You need a notary public, not a solicitor. While both are qualified lawyers, only a notary public can notarise documents. Solicitors can witness signatures, but a witnessed document does not carry the same legal weight — particularly for international use. UK notaries are regulated by the Faculty Office of the Archbishop of Canterbury.
About Edward Young Notaries & Lawyers
Edward Young Notaries & Lawyers is a specialist notary practice based at 19 Wigmore Street, London W1U 1PH. The practice is regulated by the Faculty Office of the Archbishop of Canterbury and is a member of the Notaries Society. Edward Young is a notary public, non-practising solicitor, and STEP-qualified practitioner.
Services: Notarisation · Apostille · Certified Copies · Powers of Attorney · Consent Letters
Phone: +44 20 7499 2605
Email: notary@notarypubliclondon.co.uk
Hours: Monday–Friday, 09:00–17:30
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