Notary cost?

[john]

I'm donating a small vessel to a USA organisation, and have the US bill of sale to hand to transfer ownership. It needs to be witnessed by a Notary and over there this is a simple $2 or free of charge service provided by banks, town clerks etc.

I've contacted a couple of UK Notaries, and they are asking far more and in the order of £80, which seems high for a relatively minor document. Anyone know a cheaper solution? I'm aware of Post Office, Vicars and other respectable people witnessing documents, but my form needs a Notary. Plymouth area would be ideal.

Thanks

 

[[70521]]

I've contacted a couple of UK Notaries, and they are asking far more and in the order of £80

Sounds about right, they are professionals you know.

 

[rivonia]

Go to the citizens advice bureau. They have lawers at no cost. Might be worth trying

 

[jordanbasset]

I had to get documents notarised on the UK, the problem is notarising documents is common in the US but much less so in the UK and only a few people do it and from my experience it is difficult to get much below what you have been told. I did get documents done for £70 each

 

[rob2]

And they tell us inflation is under control - oh wait, those are politicians talking. Another bunch taking money for nothing.

Rob.

 

[TQA]

Cheapest I found was £50 when I needed it done.

£70 - £100 is common.

 

[Gordonmc]

I had a birth certificate notarised free, but it was for a pension company with an affiliated high street bank.
I just took in the original and a copy which was signed off by someone in a branch of the bank.
If there is a bank transfer involved you may get similar.

 

[[2574]]

I used a Plymouth based notary:

Christine Charlotte Collier
Notary Public
"The Surgery"
44A Sutherland Road
Plymouth
PL4 6BN

I'll PM you her email address. IIRC fees were £50.

Rob

 

[TheEcho]

Unlikely the citizens advice bureau could do it - I volunteer at a biggish one and we certainly don't have any notaries.

 

[corinthmistral]

To be fair, they are running a business like any other, not a charity. To qualify as a notary you first have to qualify as a solicitor (with limited exceptions), which takes a minimum of 6 years, and then undertake a further 2 year programme of study. So it doesn't sound excessively unreasonable.

 

[john]

I used a Plymouth based notary:

Christine Charlotte Collier
Notary Public
"The Surgery"
44A Sutherland Road
Plymouth
PL4 6BN

I'll PM you her email address. IIRC fees were £50.( even though I don't need indemnity ....)

Rob

Thanks Rob, contacted Christine but her indemnity does not cover USA.

John

 

[Lakesailor]

If you are donating it the beneficiary should cover the fees. Is it them who are requiring notarisation?

 

[Tranona]

Suggest you contact the US embassy. They may well have a US notary in the trade section.

 

[john]

Thanks for the further leads and links which I will follow up. It is a donation, and I don't mind paying a little but for what I require the fee seems a lot.