At a glance: reviewed reference prices start around £80 plus VAT for simple certification and around £100 plus VAT for a personal power of attorney. These are planning figures; send each provider the same brief and compare the written total.
2026 notary price benchmarks
| Notary service | Benchmark price | Common extra |
|---|---|---|
| Passport copy or simple certification | From £80 | Extra document or certified copy |
| Personal power of attorney, one signature | Around £100 | About £50 per additional signatory |
| Corporate power of attorney | From £180 | Company searches and each additional director |
| Degree, diploma or transcript | From £90 | Institution verification from about £15 |
| Reviewing or drafting a document | From £100 | Time for amendments or complex wording |
These human-reviewed figures are indicative reference prices for budgeting, reviewed in September 2026. “Around” is an approximate average planning figure, not a calculated UK-wide market average. “From” is a starting reference. Exact costs can change after a provider reviews the work, and VAT or extras may apply.
For an overseas power of attorney, use our document-specific preparation checklist to give every notary the same recipient instructions.
How do advertised provider prices compare?
Providers package work differently. The previously reviewed anonymous examples remain as additional reference points; their VAT basis varies and they are not current provider offers. Further anonymous examples with stated VAT treatment follow below. Always compare the final payable amount.
| Example service | Provider example A | Provider example B | Provider example C |
|---|---|---|---|
| Passport or ID copy | £60 | £90 | £100 |
| Personal power of attorney | £96 | £145 | £195+ |
| Degree or academic certificate | £90 | £100 | £160 |
| Corporate document | £100 minimum | £180 | £220+ |
| Additional document or signer | £20 | £40 | £50 to £60 |
Do not rank quotes by price until the scope matches. For example, a hypothetical £90 quote including VAT, one certified copy and delivery may be better value than a £70 fee with each item added later.
Further published fee examples
These anonymous examples were checked against public UK notary fee pages on 28 September 2026. They show how the service and VAT basis affect the advertised figure. They are reference prices, not current offers or exact quotes.
| Example service | Published reference | VAT and scope shown |
|---|---|---|
| Passport copy for use abroad | £90; £120 with a separate certificate | VAT included in both examples. |
| One-sheet English power of attorney | £96; multi-page or foreign-language from £120 | VAT included. |
| Company resolution / Companies House information | £120 / £160 | VAT included; different certification tasks. |
| Simple passport, driving licence or one-page letter | £90 minimum | Plus VAT. |
| One personal / one business paper document | £100 / £120 minimum | Plus VAT; electronic notarisation was £120 minimum plus VAT. |
| Time-based notarial work | £100 minimum / £220 per hour | Plus VAT; ID check £11.25 plus VAT per person. |
| First private / first commercial document | £60 / £100 | No VAT charged; same-appointment additional documents £20 / £30. |
| British university degree or transcript | £100 | No VAT charged; legalisation and third-party costs separate. |
| Academic verification and notarisation | £95 | Taxes included on the displayed fee page; check exact options and availability. |
| Degree verification and certification | £160 | No VAT to add; university verification expense £30–£40 additional. |
A degree or corporate power of attorney may involve document-specific verification or drafting. The benchmark above helps with initial budgeting, but these provider examples cover different work and cannot be averaged into a reliable national rate. Confirm each provider’s current fee and full scope directly.
What should every notary quote include?
| Item | What to confirm |
|---|---|
| Professional fee | The notary's fee for reviewing, meeting, checking and completing the act |
| VAT | Whether it is already included and the exact amount |
| Verification | Identity, university, company registry or professional record checks |
| Copies and signers | How many are included and the price for each extra |
| Legalisation | Official apostille or embassy fees plus the provider's handling charge |
| Delivery | UK or international postage, courier and tracking |
| Timing | Appointment date, completion estimate and urgent service premium |
| Corrections | What happens if the receiving authority asks for different wording |
What details get the most accurate price?
- Name the document and say whether you have the original.
- State the country and the exact organisation receiving it.
- Give the number of documents, copies and people signing.
- Say whether you have been asked for an apostille or embassy legalisation.
- Share the deadline and preferred appointment location.
- Attach any written instructions from the overseas authority.
A simple quote request you can use
“I need [document] for use in [country] with [receiving organisation]. There are [number] documents and [number] signatories. My deadline is [date]. Please quote the total including VAT, checks, copies, legalisation, handling and delivery, and list anything excluded.”
Why one form saves time
Repeating the same brief by phone makes it harder to compare answers. One structured request helps each notary price the same job. The form at the top of this page collects the core details and can introduce the request to up to three providers.
What extras can change the final bill?
- VAT on professional fees
- Extra signatories or documents
- University or registry verification
- Urgent or out-of-hours appointment
- Home or office travel
- Translation or interpreter costs
- FCDO apostille and handling
- Embassy and courier charges
How much are official apostille fees?
The Legalisation Office currently lists a paper apostille at £45 plus delivery and an e-Apostille at £35. A provider's quote may add a handling or courier fee. Not every document can use the electronic service. See the latest GOV.UK legalisation guidance.
Should I choose the cheapest notary?
Price matters, but the lowest quote is not the best value if it excludes essential work or causes rejection and delay. Consider:
- experience with your document and destination country;
- clear scope and written total price;
- appointment availability and promised turnaround;
- verified practising status and professional standards;
- who manages apostille, legalisation and delivery;
- what support is available if requirements change.
You can learn more in our guides to UK notary costs and finding a local notary.
Frequently asked questions
What is the cheapest way to get a document notarised?
Give complete details, compare written quotes and avoid paying for unnecessary urgency or travel. Confirm first that the receiving authority actually requires a Notary Public.
Why do notaries not publish one fixed price?
The work varies. A short copy certification can be simple, while a corporate power of attorney may need company searches, authority checks, drafting and multiple signers.
Are online notary prices cheaper?
They can reduce travel and appointment time, but remote completion is not suitable or accepted for every document. Confirm the receiving authority accepts the proposed format.
Do I pay for comparing quotes?
No. Compare Notary's quote request is free for the customer, and there is no obligation to instruct a provider.
Are government fees included in a notary quote?
Sometimes. Ask whether the quote includes the official apostille or embassy fee, the provider's handling charge and return delivery.
Official sources
Related guides
This guide is general information, not legal advice. Prices and government charges can change. Get a written quote for your exact document and requirements.