We aim to charge a fair and competitive fee, based on the nature of a client’s instructions and related factors such as the volume of documents involved and the complexity of a request.
As a rule, our fees for notarisation services are calculated on a per document basis, with supplement fees for accessory services, such as arranging legalisations, attending locations outside our office or carrying out external verifications of documents. For non-corporate documents, we apply a sliding scale, offering a discount rate for instructions relating to multiple documents. Translations are charged on a per word basis, subject to a minimum charge for texts under 500 words.
In limited circumstances, where a per document charge is not suitable to a specific instruction, we may calculate the fee by reference to the time we spend on a matter.
For new clients, a quote on the above basis will be given prior to carrying out an instruction, detailing our fees and any known disbursements associated with the work requested. With regular corporate clients, we may communicate the applicable fees through a rate card, sent in advance to the client, that applies to any of their requests. Notwithstanding, even where agreed rates are in place, we are still happy to respond to any request for details of the fees and costs applicable to any specific instruction.
Where applicable, the fees charged by embassies and consulates for their legalisation services are passed on to the client as disbursements. These will be differentiated from our fees in any quotes, receipts or invoices. Information on these legalisation fees is provided in good faith based on the latest information we have from a particular embassy or consulate. Our website legalisation guide gives an indication of likely fees but note embassies and consulates may change their fees and procedures without notice.
We will add VAT to our fees, where applicable, at the prevailing rate.
As a specialist notarial services firm, we only act as Commissioners for Oaths on a discretionary basis in relation to documents for use in England and Wales. If one of our notaries agrees to provide such services in this capacity, then these will be charged at the statutory rate, which is currently £5.00 per affidavit or declaration and £2.00 for each exhibit thereto. For the avoidance of doubt, this service is not provided for documents destined to be used in South Africa, nor are such fees applicable to oaths, declarations or affidavits administered or witnessed by us in any other capacity.