Getting documents notarized?

How do I do this?  I know the system is different here in the UK and I hope this doesn't cost a fortune. 

I'm supposed to download and sign a couple documents having to do with my Dad's estate and then get them notarized.

I had to get a photocopy of my passport notarised the other day and also had no clue.  I Googled for a local solicitors office on my high street, then phoned them to check they would notarise the document.  I took it in later that day.  It cost £5 and took 5 minutes to do.

So, it's a solicitor you need, and there are firms with high street offices all over the place, as I found out to my surprise on our tiny run-down high street!

I had to get a photocopy of my passport notarised the other day and also had no clue.  I Googled for a local solicitors office on my high street, then phoned them to check they would notarise the document.  I took it in later that day.  It cost £5 and took 5 minutes to do.

So, it's a solicitor you need, and there are firms with high street offices all over the place, as I found out to my surprise on our tiny run-down high street!

Thanks rbbarch, that's easy enough then!   

I hate to throw a possible wrench in your plan, but you should find out if you need to get an Apostille. We were instructed to get one in addition to the regular notary if we couldn't get it notarized at the US Embassy. That Apostille nonsense does make it much more expensive.

Here's the link to the notary society: http://www.thenotariessociety.org.uk

Here's the link to the US Embassy notary info, though it likely won't help you much in Leeds: http://london.usembassy.gov/cons_new/acs/scs/notary.html

Good luck!

I hate to throw a possible wrench in your plan, but you should find out if you need to get an Apostille.

I don't think I do.  Anyway, I was only told to get it notarized so that's all I'm doing.  If they then say it needed and Apostille then they can pay for it, or more succinctly my Dad's partner can pay for it since the documents are for his benefit, not mine. 

Holy cr@p I'm super stressed today about this (and other things).  The solicitors office told me they could swear and sign my documents but that wouldn't be notarizing them.  I was given the number of a notary public and he'll do it for about £85.  (A seal would be at least £30 extra, don't think I need that.)

I've emailed the lawyer in the US and asked it a signature from a solicitor will suffice.  I can't afford £85 right now .

I had to get something notarized while I was here on a visit two years ago. It was just a simple document pertaining to my divorce. It cost about the same as you were quoted. I was shocked, too. Also, he couldn't see me for nearly a week for something that took 10 minutes.

(The most shocking part, actually, was the guy himself. When he found out where I had lived last in the US, he said a number of nasty things about the area, and actually made a few racist comments!  )

I had to get something notarized while I was here on a visit two years ago. It was just a simple document pertaining to my divorce. It cost about the same as you were quoted. I was shocked, too. Also, he couldn't see me for nearly a week for something that took 10 minutes.

(The most shocking part, actually, was the guy himself. When he found out where I had lived last in the US, he said a number of nasty things about the area, and actually made a few racist comments!  )

Oh dear.  A shame you had little choice but to give him your business.  I think we're both from the same area (Philadelphia) and I'd have been angry at negative comments, especially racist ones!

Well, the lawyer for my dad's partner in the US said to go ahead and just get a solicitors signature and if the judge doesn't like it we'll go from there.  So that's what I did plus the solicitor had his business logo and contact info stamped onto the document as well.  Fingers crossed the judge accepts it.

Hope everything got sorted OK in the end. Sounds like extra stress, given everything going on.

Hope everything got sorted OK in the end. Sounds like extra stress, given everything going on.

Thank you!  Is was definitely extra and un-needed stress!  The lawyer will let me know after she submits it to the judge.

Thank you!  Is was definitely extra and un-needed stress!  The lawyer will let me know after she submits it to the judge.

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Crossing absolutely everything.

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Crossing absolutely everything.

Aww, thanks!

Andee - I hope the judge accepts it as well. Stress is so.... stressful! 

Yes, I am from the Philly suburbs. However, the solicitor was referring to the last place I resided in the states, which was Alabama.  We were small-talking, and when I told him I wasn't from there, but from PA, he felt free to make all kinds of remarks about the South. Shockingly unprofessional!

I needed to get some documents notarised with a seal, to submit to the US Embassy in London, however, they were willing to accept a letter from a solicitor to say that I had signed the said documents in their presence.  This was a lot cheaper than getting them formally notorised and having a seal put on them.  This was about five years ago, I don't know if they will still accept it.