How much does a notary public cost in the UK?
Updated 3 September 2026 · 3 min read
There is no fixed national price for a notary public in the UK. Notaries set their own fees, and the total depends mostly on how long the work takes and how complex it is. This guide explains how the cost is built up so you can budget realistically and compare quotes properly.
How notary fees are calculated
Most notaries charge on a time basis, with the fee reflecting:
- Preliminary work – checking your identity, reviewing the document, and confirming what the receiving country or organisation actually requires.
- The appointment itself – witnessing your signature, administering any oath or declaration, and applying the notarial certificate, signature and seal.
- Research and verification – for company documents this can mean checking Companies House filings, board resolutions or the authority of the person signing.
- Administration – producing the notarial certificate, keeping the statutory record, and arranging any onward legalisation.
A short, straightforward personal document (for example, certifying a copy of your passport, or witnessing a single signature) sits at the lower end. A corporate transaction with several documents, multiple signatories and tight deadlines sits much higher.
What you might pay
As a rough guide for planning:
- A simple personal notarial act is usually the cheapest option a notary offers.
- A standard appointment covering one or two documents with some preliminary advice is the most common scenario.
- Company or property matters, urgent turnarounds, and appointments outside the notary's office cost more because they take more time and carry more risk.
Always ask for a written quote that states what is included. A quote that looks low may exclude the apostille fee, courier costs or a second document.
Extra costs to budget for
The notary's own fee is often only part of the total. Depending on where your document is going, you may also pay for:
| Item | What it is |
|---|---|
| Apostille / legalisation | The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) attaches an apostille confirming the notary's signature. The FCDO charges a fixed fee per document for its standard service, plus more for a same-day premium service. Check gov.uk for the current amounts. |
| Embassy or consular legalisation | Countries outside the Hague Apostille Convention require legalisation at their embassy, each with its own fee and processing time. |
| Courier and tracked postage | For sending documents to the FCDO, an embassy, or overseas. |
| Translation | If the receiving country requires a certified translation. |
| Company searches or verification | Where the notary has to independently confirm corporate authority. |
What makes an appointment cheaper or more expensive
Lower cost: one document, a personal matter, ID and address evidence ready, no deadline pressure, meeting at the notary's office, a destination country that only needs an apostille.
Higher cost: multiple documents, corporate or property transactions, a same-day or weekend deadline, a mobile appointment at your home or office, embassy legalisation, or missing paperwork that the notary has to chase.
How to keep the cost down
- Bring valid photo ID and a recent proof of address to the appointment.
- Confirm with the receiving party exactly which documents they need notarised, and in what form, before you book.
- Ask whether a certified copy will do instead of notarising an original.
- Group documents into a single appointment rather than booking several.
- Ask for the full quote in writing, including the apostille and courier, so there are no surprises.
Getting a quote from National Notaries
National Notaries connects you with a notary near you and gives you a clear quote before you commit. Tell us what the document is and which country it is for, and we will come back to you with the fee and the timescale.
Request a quote or call 0800 058 1180. If your document needs an apostille or embassy legalisation, see our guide to legalisation and apostille services.