Key stages and normal timescales

Notarial services can include obtaining a translation, notarisation and legalisation of documents.  These services can be delivered either together or as a one stop service.  Every instruction is different but the key stages and normal timescales generally follow a similar pattern as follows:

• your enquiry is received along with the documents you want notarising (and any instructions from the receiving jurisdiction)

• within 24 – 48 hours an initial assessment of the documents, instructions and notarial work involved is relayed to you with terms and conditions of business, estimate of fees and third party expenses and ID requirements

• once you are satisfied with the terms of business and estimate of fees and third party expenses, the documents are worked on, if necessary liaising with your local adviser – and the time taken will depend on the complexity of the documents and availability of all parties

• any translation needed is organised – taking between 2 and 7 days

• any notarial certificate is prepared and issued – when all required information is to hand

• a meeting is arranged with you to check your ID and sign documents – at a time that works for you

• any notarial certificates and other documents needing an apostille are sent to the FCDO for legalisation (apostilling) and return – the FCDO postal service taking up to 14 days and the FCDO same day service taking one day

• these can then be sent to the relevant Embassy for “double legalisation” if needed – each Embassy having its own timescales for dealing

• within 24 – 48 hours the completed and legalised, if needed, notarial certificates and other documents can be on their way to the destination that you want, dispatched by special delivery or courier as you wish