Notaries are qualified lawyers who belong to the smallest yet oldest branch of the legal profession in England and Wales.  Whilst many notaries are also solicitors, the vast majority of solicitors are not notaries.

It is the Court of Faculties of the Archbishop of Canterbury which appoints notaries.

Notaries are tasked with verifying and certifying matters such as signatures, an individual's authority to act and/or their capacity to act in relation to documents for use abroad. 

The foreign jurisdiction receiving a notarised document can place reliance on the fact that the document before them has been signed by an individual who has been correctly identified and that that individual has the authority and capacity to sign the document and that the individual also understands the meaning and effect of the document, as these are all aspects which the notary is tasked with checking and verifying throughout the process.

A document is notarised once the notary has added their signature and seal.

It is the signature and seal of the notary combined which is accorded international recognition and acceptance.

Some jurisdictions will require an Apostille to be added to the document and this is issued by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (with whom both my signature and seal are registered) who confirm that the signature and seal are those of a recognised notary.

If the receiving jurisdiction is not a party to the Hague Convention, it is likely that the document will also need to be legalised by the appropriate embassy.

Notaries in England and Wales are required to hold a practising certificate issued by the Faculty Office which is only issued to notaries with satisfactory evidence that they hold professional indemnity and fidelity insurance and that they have continued to update their knowledge, known a continuing professional education, in accordance with the requirements.