What must the notary do?

Coddan arranges notarisation through its in-house and associated UK notaries. The individual notary decides what can properly be notarised and what original documents, identification, authority and signing arrangements are required. For an LLP, membership alone may not establish authority under its agreement. For a limited partnership, a general partner's role and any delegated mandate must be checked; a limited partner should not be presented as managing merely because they appear on a filing.

We identify the current document, its source and version, and whether it has already been signed or must be executed in the notary's presence. A foreign-language document may require a notary competent in that language or a translation. Translation needed by the notary is a different question from translation required by the receiving authority. An apostille, where required, is a separate official step after the appropriate signature or notarial act.

Send the document and the recipient's instructions before arranging an appointment. Coddan will confirm the appropriate professional act, the necessary evidence, scope, fees and any later authentication steps. Notarisation cannot repair an unauthorised decision or guarantee acceptance abroad.

What the notary may examine

A notary may need to establish who signed a private agreement or power of attorney, what authority that person had and whether the document is complete. For an official document, the act may instead concern a certified copy or another defined statement. Send the entire document, amendments and proposed signing instructions before anyone signs in anticipation of notarisation.

The appointed notary decides the evidence, wording, attendance and form of the act. Coddan can arrange the service through its in-house and associated notaries. A notarial certificate does not automatically settle a disputed partnership right or replace an official registry record.

What should a signatory bring to the appointment?

The notary may ask to see the proposed document, the recipient's instructions, identification and address evidence for the signatory, and the agreement or decision showing that the person can act for the LLP or general partner. If a company acts as general partner, evidence of that company's own signing authority may also be needed. The appointed notary will specify the form and timing, including whether the person must sign in the notary's presence. Ask Coddan for a secure way to supply personal documents rather than attaching them to an initial enquiry.

Would a solicitor-certified copy be enough?

Sometimes the recipient asks only for a copy certified by a UK solicitor. In other cases it expressly requires a notarial certificate, witnessing of a signature or an examination of the signatory’s authority. These are different acts, and an apostille is a further step only where required. Send the wording you received so Coddan can establish whether a solicitor certification or an individual notary’s act is appropriate.

Ask Coddan about this document

Send the partnership name and registration number, the document or fact requested, the recipient’s written instructions, the country of use and any deadline. We will review the request and explain what can be supplied and what remains to be confirmed before quoting.

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