Welcome to Clarkson Wright & Jakes Ltd (“CWJ”) notary service.  This information has been put together to assist you in preparing for your appointment.  With your help we aim to make sure that we provide you with an efficient service and you have a successful visit. If you have not seen a notary public before you may like to look at our Frequently Asked Questions

CWJ has 3 notaries in Kent who can be seen by appointment. They will do their best to accommodate appointments at short notice.

Our notaries in Kent are qualified lawyers.  They are members of the oldest branch of the legal profession in the UK.  They are appointed by the Archbishop of Canterbury and are subject to regulation by the Court of Faculties.  There are only about 850 Notaries Public within England and Wales.

The main business of a notary is to verify the proper execution of documentation to be used abroad.  Notarisation means the act by a notary of certifying a signature or issuing a certificate.  When a notary signs and seals a document he is verifying the authenticity of the facts set out in the document.  A notary has a duty to everyone who may rely on the document and he has to satisfy himself that he has verified all necessary facts or information before dealing with it. It is not sufficient for him simply to witness your signature.  For this reason we ask clients to provide us with instructions and guidance from the lawyer or authorities who require the document and if possible to let us see a copy of the document to be notarised before the visit.  We also need clients to bring with them their proof of ID.

Your document may be in a foreign language.  The notary must be satisfied that the meaning and effect is clear to you.  A notary does not give advice on the meaning or effect of a document or transaction.  It is important that you ask for advice and clarification in correspondence you receive with your document and that you bring this with you to your appointment with the notary.

A notary is called upon to assist with a wide range of services both for individual and commercial clients. Commonly these may be the notarisation of documents such as

• Powers of Attorney, statutory affidavits, oaths and declarations
• Documentation relating to the sale, purchase, transfer, or verification of land, property or shares
• Authentication of a Passport or signature
• Certified copy documents such as Passports and educational certificates
• Documentation, marriage certificates and declarations of single status in connection with marriage overseas
• Preparation of sponsorship forms for persons visiting the UK
• Permission to let one parent travel with children 
• Witnessing and attesting signature of foreign Wills

We can also assist with legalisation by the Apostille service with the Foreign & Commonwealth Office and consulates.

How do I arrange to see a Notary?

• Please fill in the online enquiry form .
• Or, you can email your request to Linda Chadwick, our notary clerk at linda.chadwick@cwj.co.uk
• Or, you can telephone Linda on 01689 887850.

Are there things you need to ask?  We hope that our Frequently Asked Questions will provide you with answers, but do not hesitate to contact us if you need further help.

The representative body of all Clarkson Wright & Jakes Ltd Notaries in Kent is The Notaries Society. The Regulatory Body is the Faculty Office. All Notaries are subject to the Notaries Practice Rules 2009, which may be accessed at www.facultyoffice.org.uk/Notaries4.html