Family-run businesses in the UK are increasingly taking bold steps toward international growth—whether opening overseas offices, signing distribution agreements, or acquiring property abroad. But amidst the excitement, one essential step often gets missed: proper notarisation of business documents.
Foreign governments, banks, and commercial partners frequently require notarised and legalised documentation before recognising your authority to act abroad. Here’s how LM Notary Public helps family businesses protect their interests and expand with confidence.
Why Does Notarisation Matter for International Business?
When doing business internationally, UK-issued documents are often not recognised unless they’ve been authenticated by a notary public—and sometimes legalised by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) or relevant embassy.
This validation proves the genuineness of your business documents, such as:
- Board or shareholder resolutions
- Articles of Association or incorporation certificates
- Commercial contracts and loan agreements
- Powers of Attorney to act abroad
- Appointment of overseas representatives or agents
Common Pitfall: Apostille vs Embassy Legalisation
If you’re dealing with a Hague Convention country (e.g. France, Germany, India), an apostille stamp from the FCDO is often sufficient. For non-Hague countries (e.g. UAE, China), you may also need embassy or consular legalisation—another step we can help with.
Client Story: East London Family Business Expands to the UAE
We recently supported a small IT consultancy, run by two brothers in East London, who were opening a branch in Dubai. They needed several documents notarised and legalised, including:
- Company incorporation documents
- A Power of Attorney authorising their UAE manager
- A signed commercial agreement with a regional distributor
LM Notary Public managed the entire process—from notarisation to embassy legalisation—saving them time, errors, and last-minute delays with UAE officials.
Why Work With LM Notary Public?
We specialise in helping family and small businesses navigate international legal requirements smoothly. Here’s what sets us apart:
- Same-day notarisation & weekend appointments
- Mobile visits across Greater London
- Multi-language support (including Hindi, Tamil, Malayalam)
- Decades of experience with over 80+ international jurisdictions
Checklist: Are You Ready to Take Your Business Global?
- ✔️ Have you checked if your target country requires an apostille or embassy legalisation?
- ✔️ Do you have a Power of Attorney for someone acting abroad on your behalf?
- ✔️ Are your company documents certified and up-to-date?
- ✔️ Have you consulted a notary before submitting paperwork overseas?
Let’s Simplify the Paperwork
Going global doesn’t have to be complicated. At LM Notary Public, we make international expansion easier by ensuring your documents are properly notarised, legalised, and accepted worldwide.
Contact us today for a free consultation or to book a mobile notary visit.