If a legal document is being signed in the UK to be used overseas, the foreign country will usually require the document to be witnessed by a notary public rather than a solicitor. This is because the notary’s qualification is recognised abroad and the notary’s signature can be verified by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.
Common Examples of Transactions that need a Notary:
- Medical Professionals applying to work in Australia
- Getting married in the Caribbean or USA
- Granting Power of Attorney to a family member to deal with land in India
- Granting Power of Attorney to a lawyer to deal with land in Spain