Notarised Company Documents

What's included

• Check of what the receiving organisation needs
• Preparation of the company document or copy to be notarised
• Notary's review of the document against the company records
• Notary's signature and seal
• Option to send straight on for an FCDO apostille
• Return of the notarised document by post
• Email and phone support

What notarisation means

A notary public is a qualified lawyer authorised to certify documents for use abroad. When a notary notarises a document, they confirm something specific about it: for example, that a copy is a true copy of the original, or that a document was signed by the person named.

Foreign banks, registries and lawyers often trust a notary's certificate more than a company's own paperwork, because the notary is an independent public official.

When you need it

• A foreign bank asks for certified copies of your articles of association or company registers
• You need to prove who the directors and shareholders are, with a Certificate of Incumbency
• You are signing a contract or power of attorney to be used abroad
• You want an apostille on a document signed by the company, such as a share certificate or resolution

Notarisation and apostille

These are two different steps, and many countries ask for both.

1. Notarisation: the notary certifies the document.
2. Apostille: the FCDO confirms that the notary's signature and seal are genuine.

Documents issued by Companies House, such as a certificate of incorporation, do not need a notary before an apostille. Documents signed only by your company usually do. If you are not sure which you need, send us the request you received and we will tell you.

How it works

1. Tell us which document you need notarised and where it will be used.
2. We prepare the document or copy, using your company records.
3. The notary reviews it and adds their signature and seal.
4. We post it to you, or send it straight on for an apostille.

What you need to provide

• Company name and number
• The documents to be notarised, or details so we can prepare them
• The country and organisation that will receive them
• If a director must sign in front of the notary, the director's passport and proof of address

Some documents must be signed by a director in person in front of the notary. If so, we will explain the options before you order, as this can affect timing.

Common mistakes

• Asking for notarisation when the receiving country actually needs an apostille. Usually you need both.
• Sending unsigned or out-of-date documents. The notary can only certify what matches your company records.
• Forgetting translations. Some countries want a certified translation as well.

Frequently asked questions

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