Wirral Notary: Elaine Clayton

04/01/2025

18/09/2024

Over the next few weeks, I will be looking more in depth at digital notarisation and e-apostilles.

This week is looking towards what can be notarised digitally. Many documents can be, but not all. Some documents have Crown Copyright attached, this means that they cannot be copied or reproduced. It doesn't matter if we are creating a paper or digital document, we cannot reproduce them when notarising them (typically birth, marriage and death certificates).

Consideration also needs to be made for the recipient. Most digital documents are for education certificates or evidence of paying tax in the UK, and these can be notarised digitally when being used in a country that accepts digital documents and e-apostilles. We wouldn't be able to use this option for documents that need consular legalisation.

If you have any questions about your documents, digital or not, please don't hesitate to get in touch.

11/09/2024

I have updated my website with a new services page (with thanks to Kootoo). This page now looks at digital notarisation and e-apostilles directly. There is lots of information and FAQs on this subject, but if you have any specific questions, please don't hesitate to get in touch.
https://www.elaineclaytonnotary.co.uk/service/digital-notarisation-and-e-apostille/

04/09/2024

Further information series: e-apostilles

E-apostilles are cheaper and faster to obtain than paper apostilles. However, there are fewer circumstances where they can be used. In order to obtain one, your document has to be signed with a QES or AES signature by a notary or solicitor. There are some documents that cannot be notarised in this way and some countries will not accept them (usually when consular legalisation is needed). Further details can be found here: https://www.elaineclaytonnotary.co.uk/e-notarisation-and-e-apostilles-are-now-available-but-what-are-they-and-are-they-right-for-you/ or by contacting me.

29/08/2024

Do you need an ID1 but your solicitor cannot help? Have a look at the list of people acceptable to HMLR and notaries are there! If you need help with it in person (ID1) or from a distance (ID5), please don't hesitate to get in touch for a quote.

20/08/2024

Further information series: AHPRA
Lots of medical professionals are, or considering moving to Australia to work. AHPRA request some of your documents to be notarised, which often includes identity and degree documents. Some people also decide to apply via New Zealand. CGFNS also require identity documents to be notarised. If you would like a quote for yours, please don't hesitate to get in touch.

13/08/2024

Further information series: Travel consents for minors.
There is no one right answer as to whether or not a child needs to have one. Some countries insist on them even when travelling with one parent, and not only need to be notarised but even require an apostille. Others seem to want a birth certificate (sometimes with an apostille). You will need to check the governing law in the place that you intend to travel to, especially if neither parent is travelling with the minor.
This topic is discussed further here: https://www.elaineclaytonnotary.co.uk/do-i-need-to-have-my-childs-travel-consent-notarised/

08/08/2024

Further information series: Studying abroad.
Many students decide that they would like to study abroad. This could be to study for an undergraduate medical degree in Bulgaria or a masters in their home country having obtained their undergrad in the UK. Whatever the reason is, you may need to have a document notarised and/legalised.
If this is you, please do not hesitate to get in touch to discuss.

06/08/2024

Further information series: Weddings abroad.
Plans for this year's wedding are most likely well under way. If you are getting married in the next few months, double check with your wedding planner that you have all you need in place for the legal side. Different countries have different requirements, some you need to have documents notarised, certified or legalised in advance.
Take a look at this blog for further information: https://www.elaineclaytonnotary.co.uk/getting-married-abroad-do-you-have-all-of-your-documents-in-place/

22/07/2024

Policy update: due to people not paying their invoices timely or in fact at all, any disbursement costs will need to be paid prior to them being incurred.
To speed things up, or to help people out, I have paid verification fees and legalisation costs before receiving these payments from clients. Unfortunately, people have not paid my invoices as arranged and I have ended up out of pocket. I understand that the costs mount up, but if you need an apostille on a document, that shouldn't be for me to pay for you.

22/07/2024

Appointment times will be different to usual over the school summer holidays. I will be contactable as normal to discuss your documents, so please don't hesitate to get in touch.