Notaries: Are Simple Certifications A Thing Anymore?

Notaries are primarily concerned with the authentication and certification of signatures, authority and capacity relating to documents for use overseas. For centuries, notarial acts have been recognised and accepted at home and abroad.

Often a document will have been prepared by a foreign lawyer and sent to someone in Guernsey for execution before a notary. Examples of such documents include powers of attorney, sworn statements, contracts, property transaction papers and various certificates.

Notaries may also be involved in authenticating personal documents and information for immigration or emigration purposes to enable people to work, live or marry abroad. For example, you may need a notary to certify a set of educational certificates or declarations of freedom to marry. The role the notary plays is often much more than just taking a copy of some authentic looking paperwork, they often have to make further checks.