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.
I am also able to see clients by appointment at the offices of Clarke & Son, Solicitors, in Basingstoke. Please contact me for further details.
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.
