Quick answer: our reviewed reference price for simple certification starts at £80 plus VAT, and a one-signature personal power of attorney is around £100 plus VAT. These are indicative planning prices, not a fixed tariff or a quote; exact costs can change.
Typical notary public fees in 2026
The figures below are practical starting points, not fixed prices. They are shown excluding VAT so you can compare them with quotes that list VAT separately.
| Service | Typical starting price | What can increase it? |
|---|---|---|
| Simple certification, such as a passport copy | From £80 plus VAT | Extra copies, ID checks, urgency or a mobile visit |
| Personal power of attorney, one signature | Around £100 plus VAT | About £50 for each additional signatory, plus drafting or advice |
| Corporate power of attorney | From £180 plus VAT | Number of directors, company searches, authority checks and wording |
| Degree, diploma or transcript | From £90 plus VAT | Institution verification, often from £15, and destination requirements |
| Document review or drafting | From £100 plus VAT | Length, complexity, language and amendments |
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. They are not fixed tariffs or live offers: the exact cost may change with the document, provider, VAT and extra work. For further anonymous published-fee examples and VAT treatment, see our price comparison.
Budget tip: ask for the complete price including VAT, government fees, verification, apostille handling and delivery. A low headline fee can become a higher final bill.
Signing for use overseas? Read the power of attorney notary checklist before comparing quotes; the receiving organisation's instructions can affect the work required.
What is included in the total notary cost?
A notary's professional fee and an apostille charge pay for different work. Compare a written total for the same document, signatories and recipient requirements. The starting prices above are reference points; the final quote should say which of the following apply.
| Cost component | What to ask before instructing |
|---|---|
| Notarial work | Does the fee include document review, identity checks, the signature or copy certification, and the notarial certificate? |
| VAT | Is the quoted professional fee inclusive or exclusive of VAT? Ask for the amount you will actually pay. |
| Government apostille | If needed, the standard paper fee is £45 per document plus return postage or courier; an eligible e-Apostille costs £35. These are separate from a provider's handling fee. |
| Verification, drafting or translation | Are company searches, institution checks, drafting, amendments or translation included, separately priced or still to be confirmed? |
| Appointment and delivery | Does the total include a mobile visit, extra signatories or copies, urgent work, postage and delivery to the recipient? |
Government fees checked on 12 October 2026 against GOV.UK's legalisation charges. A paper apostille and an e-Apostille are alternatives: ask the recipient which format it accepts before choosing.
Request quotes for your document → with one free form. Compare Notary is an independent comparison service for England and Wales; the providers quote for and carry out the notarial work.
How much does a notary charge to witness a signature?
The price depends on the document and the checks needed, as well as the number of people signing. For a personal power of attorney with one signature, our reviewed planning reference is around £100 plus VAT; that figure is not a price for every type of signature witnessing. Ask whether document review, drafting, extra signatories and any apostille are included. Our power-of-attorney guide explains the recipient and signing checks.
Before paying for a notary, confirm who the receiving organisation requires to sign or certify the document. GOV.UK's certified-copy guidance lists several possible certifiers and says the organisation may have its own rules. For overseas legalisation, GOV.UK also advises checking whether the recipient requires a UK notary or solicitor. A different form of certification may be sufficient, depending on those instructions.
Why do notary prices vary?
A notary does more than add a stamp. They may need to verify identity, capacity, authority, signatures, company records or the authenticity of a source document. The destination country can also require specific wording or legalisation.
The main price factors
- Type and number of documents
- Number of people signing
- Identity or company checks
- Original document verification
- Drafting or translation work
- Same-day or out-of-hours service
- Office, mobile or remote appointment
- Apostille, embassy and courier fees
Why destination country matters
The receiving organisation decides what it will accept. Before instructing a notary, ask whether it needs the original or a certified copy, a witnessed signature, an apostille or further embassy legalisation. That information helps the notary quote accurately.
Why can advertised prices differ from a written quote?
A published starting fee may cover only one document or one appointment. It may exclude VAT, verification, extra signers, an apostille, handling or delivery. Ask the provider to itemise these charges and state what would change the price. If the document will be used abroad, GOV.UK advises checking the recipient's document and signature requirements before applying for legalisation.
How much does an apostille add?
The UK Legalisation Office currently charges £45 for a paper apostille, plus return delivery, or £35 for an e-Apostille. Eligibility and processing times differ. A notary or agent may also charge a handling fee. Check the current rules on the GOV.UK legalisation service.
Some public documents can go directly to the Legalisation Office, while private documents or copies may need notarisation first. Our notarisation vs apostille guide explains the difference.
How can I compare notary quotes fairly?
- Send every notary the same document details.
- Name the destination country and receiving organisation.
- Say how many documents, copies and signatories are involved.
- Ask whether VAT and all third-party charges are included.
- Confirm turnaround, appointment format and delivery.
- Check whether later amendments or extra copies cost more.
For a deeper checklist, see our 2026 guide to comparing notary prices.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to notarise a passport in the UK?
The reviewed reference starts around £80 plus VAT for a straightforward passport copy. Published examples differ by certificate type and provider. Ask for a written quote for your exact document, copies, VAT, urgency, delivery and any apostille.
Does a notary charge VAT?
Many notaries charge VAT, but not every published price displays it in the same way. Ask whether the quote is inclusive or exclusive of VAT and whether third-party fees also appear in the total.
Is a solicitor cheaper than a notary?
A solicitor may certify some copies for domestic use, but an overseas authority may specifically require a Notary Public. The GOV.UK certified document guidance explains general certification. Always follow the receiving authority's instructions.
Can a notary give me a price by phone?
They may give a starting price, but a firm quote usually needs a scan of the document, the destination country, the number of signers and your deadline. Remove unnecessary sensitive data before sending documents for an initial quote.
Is the cheapest notary the best choice?
Not always. Compare total price, relevant experience, availability, travel and whether the finished document will meet the receiving authority's rules.
Official sources and further reading
- GOV.UK: Get your document legalised
- Faculty Office: Rules governing Notaries Public
- The Notaries Society: What a notary does
This guide is general information, not legal advice. Fees and government charges can change. Confirm the latest requirements with the receiving authority and your chosen provider.