Mihail Florin Gavrila provides notarial services for individuals from Hayes, West London. A notary may be asked to witness a signature, certify a copy or prepare a document for use abroad. The exact work depends on the document and the requirements of the organisation receiving it.
Use the notary appointment preparation checklist
Personal documents we can discuss
- Powers of attorney for use overseas, including documents concerning property or family affairs.
- Certified copies of passports, identity documents, qualifications and other records where the recipient accepts a notarial certification.
- Affidavits, declarations and consent documents, including travel consent where suitable.
- Documents connected with overseas property, marriage, education or employment.
- Apostille and legalisation arrangements when required by the destination.
What to send before your appointment
Tell us where the document will be used, who will receive it, whether you have the recipient’s written instructions and when it is needed. Send a copy of the document for review if requested. Confirm whether the recipient needs an original, a certified copy, particular wording or a translation. If a signature must be witnessed, ask whether the document should remain unsigned until the appointment.
We will confirm what identification and supporting evidence to bring for your particular matter. See the identity requirements page. A notary cannot determine another country’s legal requirements for every transaction; ask the receiving authority or your overseas lawyer if the requested form is unclear.
Notarisation and apostilles
Notarisation and an apostille serve different purposes. Some UK public documents can be submitted directly for FCDO legalisation, while other documents first need certification by a notary or solicitor. An apostille confirms the signature or seal on a UK document; it does not certify that the document’s statements are true or guarantee acceptance abroad. Read the apostille and legalisation guide and the current GOV.UK guidance.
Appointments and fees
Contact the office with the number and type of documents and your deadline. The office can confirm the appointment arrangements, scope and a quotation, including any separate legalisation, translation or delivery cost. Do not rely on a general price or turnaround for a particular document without confirmation.
Notary appointment preparation checklist
Prepare the recipient’s instructions, the document and the identity evidence agreed with the office before your appointment. This checklist helps you organise the questions that determine what the notary needs to do.
1. Write down what the recipient requires
- Destination country or territory and the name of the receiving organisation.
- Purpose of the document and the recipient’s deadline.
- The recipient’s written instructions: original or copy, required wording, who must sign, and any translation requirements.
- Whether the recipient has requested an apostille, embassy legalisation or a particular paper or electronic format. Record questions you still need the recipient to answer.
2. Check the document and the people involved
- Check names, dates and identifying details against the supporting documents. Tell the office about differences or changes of name.
- Identify everyone who is expected to sign and anyone signing for another person or organisation.
- Ask the office before signing. If a signature needs to be witnessed, follow the notary’s instructions about when to sign.
- Tell the office if you need an interpreter or help understanding the document, or have an access requirement that affects the appointment.
3. Agree what to bring
- Confirm the original identity and address evidence the office requires for this matter.
- Ask whether original certificates, earlier documents or supporting evidence are needed as well as the document to be notarised.
- Confirm who needs to attend and whether any further checks must take place before the appointment.
- Ask how sensitive documents should be supplied; use the channel the office agrees for your matter.
4. Confirm the practical arrangements
- Appointment date, place and expected duration.
- The scope of the work, fee or charging basis, VAT position and third-party costs.
- Any apostille, consular, translation, courier or postal stage, including who will arrange it.
- How the completed documents will be returned and whether the deadline allows for third-party checks.
Illustrative example — not a client case
A graduate is asked to provide a certified copy of a passport to an overseas institution. Before booking, they obtain the institution’s wording and format requirements, record whether legalisation has been requested, and ask the notary what evidence to bring. The checklist organises those questions; it does not decide the institution’s requirements.
The notary will confirm the evidence and work needed for your particular document. Completing this checklist does not confirm that the document is ready for use or will be accepted by the recipient.
Official guidance
- What to expect from your notary (Faculty Office)
- Instructing a notary: scope, fees and timescales (Faculty Office)
- Legalise a UK document (GOV.UK)
Related guidance: all notarial services · company document and signing authority checklist · document legalisation planning worksheet.
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