Notary public vs solicitor - what is the difference?

A notary public and a solicitor are both qualified members of the legal profession in England and Wales, and in most cases a notary has also practised as a solicitor. The difference is what each is trained and authorised to do.

What a solicitor does

A solicitor advises on and handles legal matters within the UK legal system: contracts, property purchases, wills and probate, disputes, family matters, company law and so on. A solicitor can certify copies of documents and witness signatures for use within the UK, and many do this routinely.

What a notary public does

A notary public's core role is to authenticate and certify documents and signatures so they will be accepted in another country. A notarial act carries an internationally recognised form: the notary verifies your identity and authority, witnesses the signing, and attaches a signed and sealed certificate in a format foreign authorities expect.

Notaries in England and Wales are appointed by the Court of Faculties of the Archbishop of Canterbury and regulated by the Master of the Faculties. They must hold professional indemnity insurance and fidelity cover. It is a separate qualification on top of legal training, with its own supervision period.

When you need a notary rather than a solicitor

You generally need a notary, not a solicitor, when a document is going to be used outside the UK. Common examples:

• Buying, selling or mortgaging property abroad
• A power of attorney for use in another country
• Company documents for an overseas transaction, tender or branch registration
• Educational certificates and transcripts for study or work abroad
• Documents that need an apostille from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (the FCDO registers notaries' signatures; it does not register most solicitors')
• Sponsorship, marriage or adoption paperwork for another country

For most overseas documents, certification by a solicitor is not sufficient - the receiving authority, bank or notary abroad will ask for a notarial certificate, usually with an apostille on top.

When a solicitor is fine

If the document stays in the UK - a statutory declaration for a UK body, a certified copy for a UK bank or government department, witnessing a UK deed - a solicitor (or in some cases a commissioner for oaths) can usually do what you need, often more cheaply.

Not sure which you need?

Tell us what the document is and where it is going. If it needs a notary we will arrange it and handle any apostille or embassy legalisation; if a solicitor's certificate would do, we will tell you.

Request a quote or call 0800 058 1180. See also: what is an apostille? and do I need a notary?

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