My name is Nicholas Bowers. I have been a Notary Public in Hampshire for 20 years and I am a member of The Notaries Society.
I can help with your private and business notarial requirements. Here is some information to help you decide what you need.
What is a Notary?
A Notary (or Notary Public) is a specialist lawyer who verifies signatures and documentation for use abroad. The expression ‘notarisation’ involves a range of different functions.
Why do I need a Notary?
You may be involved in the purchase or sale of a property abroad and your lawyers there have asked you to sign documents or provide a Power of Attorney to progress your transaction. You will probably need to sign this in the presence of a Notary.
You may need copies of your Passport or qualifications certified as true copies of the original. These certificates will need to be provided by a Notary.
If you are a commercial organisation and are doing business abroad then you may need to provide Notarised evidence of your Company’s status or financial standing.
What will the Notary do?
I will witness your signature and place an official stamp and seal on your documents. I will provide a Notarial certificate for your copy documents. I can also advise on what you need to do to complete your documentation which may involve obtaining an ‘Apostille’ (or legalisation) from The Foreign Office.
How do I arrange to see the Notary?
Just ring me or send me an email and I will offer you an appointment to suit you. I will also speak to you to find out exactly what you require to deal with your documents. I can see you at your home or business. I am available during normal business hours but if necessary I can see you in the evenings or at the weekends.
If your matter is urgent I can usually see you on the same day. My contact details are below.
Do I need proof of identity?
I am required by Professional Regulations to verify your identity and UK residence.You will therefore need to show me your valid passport or photocard driving licence and a current utility bill or other document showing your name and address. If you are signing on behalf of a company I will need to see evidence of your authority to sign.
How much will it cost?
My charges depend on whether you are a private or business client. Click here for details.
Contact me.
Please contact me to discuss your needs. Click here for my contact details.
What areas do I cover?
I am based in Southampton and I cover all of Hampshire.
Complaints
My Notarial practice is regulated by the Faculty Office of the Archbishop of Canterbury.
The Faculty Office,
1, The Sanctuary
Westminster
London, SW1P 3JT
Email: faculty.office@1thesanctuary.com
Website: www.facultyoffice.org.uk
If you are dissatisfied about the service you have received please contact me. I will provide you with a copy of my complaints procedure if you do not already have one.
If I am unable to resolve the matter you may then complain to the Notaries Society of which I am a member, who have a Complaints Procedure which is approved by the Faculty Office. This procedure is free to use and is designed to provide a quick resolution to any dispute.
In that case please write (but do not enclose any original documents) with full details of your complaint to:
The Secretary of the Notaries Society
Old Church Chambers
23 Sandhill Road
St James
Northampton NN5 5LH
Email secretary@thenotariessociety.org.uk
Tel: 01604 758908
If you have any difficulty in making a complaint in writing please do not hesitate to call the Notaries Society/the Faculty Office for assistance.
Finally, even if you have your complaint considered under the Notaries Society approved Complaints Procedure, you may at the end of the procedure, or after a period of eight weeks from the date you first notified me that you were dissatisfied, make your complaint to the Legal Ombudsman, if you are not happy with the result:
Legal Ombudsman
PO Box 6806
Wolverhampton WV1 9WJ
Tel: 0300 555 0333
Email: enquiries@legalombudsman.org.uk
Website: www.legalombudsman.org.uk
If you decide to make a complaint to the Legal Ombudsman you must refer your matter to the Legal Ombudsman within six months from the conclusion of the complaint process.
