Welcome to Karram Notaries
Thank you for choosing Karram Notaries. Our aim is to provide an efficient, responsive and highly professional notarial service to private individuals and businesses requiring documents for use outside England and Wales. We appreciate that international legal documentation can appear unfamiliar and complex. Our role is to guide you through the process, explain the legal formalities, and ensure that your documents satisfy the requirements of the receiving jurisdiction wherever possible. Every matter receives the same level of care and attention.
Our commitment to you
We are committed to providing prompt service, clear communication, transparent fees, practical advice, confidentiality, independence and compliance with all professional obligations. Every document is prepared with care, accuracy and attention to detail.
About your notary
Karram Notaries is the practice of Yara Karram, a Notary Public practising in England and Wales. The practice serves private individuals, companies, banks, financial institutions, family offices, trustees, entrepreneurs and international businesses. Appointments are available at the office, at clients' homes, corporate premises, hospitals and other agreed locations.
What is a Notary Public?
A Notary Public is an internationally recognised legal professional authorised to authenticate documents intended for use overseas. A Notary owes duties not only to the client but also to all persons and authorities who may rely upon the notarial act. Consequently, a Notary must exercise a particularly high standard of care before authenticating any document.
The role and duties of a notary
The functions of a Notary include witnessing signatures, verifying identity, legal capacity and authority, certifying copies, administering declarations and affidavits, preparing notarial certificates, authenticating company documents, arranging apostilles and maintaining a permanent protocol and register.
Regulatory information
Karram Notaries practises as a Notary Public in England and Wales and complies with the Notaries Practice Rules, applicable anti-money laundering legislation, UK GDPR, the Data Protection Act 2018 and other applicable legal and regulatory obligations.
Independence and impartiality
The Notary acts independently and must remain impartial. If concerns arise regarding identity, authority, fraud, coercion, sanctions or money laundering, instructions may be declined in accordance with professional obligations.
Scope of services
Private client services include powers of attorney, certified copies, affidavits, statutory declarations, travel consents, immigration documentation and identity certifications. Corporate services include company powers of attorney, board resolutions, execution of deeds, banking documentation, corporate certificates and international commercial documentation. International services include apostilles, embassy legalisation, translations and liaison with overseas authorities.
Appointments
Appointments are available by prior arrangement. Clients are encouraged to send documents and identification in advance. Evening, weekend and urgent appointments may be available subject to availability.
Languages
Services are available in English, Arabic and Hebrew. Where documents are in another language, certified translations or independent translators may be required.
Home, office and corporate visits
Appointments may be conducted at homes, offices, hospitals, care homes and other agreed locations. Additional travel charges may apply.
Before your appointment
To ensure your appointment proceeds efficiently, clients should send draft documents, instructions from the receiving jurisdiction and copies of identification before the appointment wherever possible. This enables preliminary review and helps identify any additional requirements before attendance.
Documents to provide
Private clients should normally provide a valid passport, proof of address dated within the previous three months, the document to be notarised and any relevant supporting documentation. Corporate clients may also be required to provide Companies House records, constitutional documents, board resolutions, powers of attorney and evidence of authority.
Identification requirements
The Notary must be satisfied as to the identity of every person signing a document. Original identification documents must usually be produced. Where identity cannot be established to the required standard, instructions may be declined. Additional identification may be requested where circumstances require.
Anti-money laundering and sanctions
Karram Notaries is required to comply with anti-money laundering, counter-terrorist financing and sanctions legislation. Clients may therefore be asked to provide additional information regarding source of funds, source of wealth, ownership structures, beneficial ownership and the purpose of the transaction. Where required by law, suspicious activity may be reported to the appropriate authorities without notice to the client.
Capacity and authority
The Notary must be satisfied that each individual understands the nature and effect of the document being signed and is acting voluntarily. Where a person signs on behalf of another individual, company, charity or other organisation, satisfactory evidence of authority must be produced.
Corporate clients
Corporate matters frequently require additional enquiries. The Notary may verify company status, review constitutional documents, inspect Companies House filings and confirm the authority of directors, officers or attorneys before proceeding.
Foreign documents
The Notary cannot guarantee that a document prepared by a third party will satisfy the legal requirements of another jurisdiction. Where necessary, amendments may be recommended or overseas legal advisers consulted.
Translation policy
Where the Notary does not understand the language of a document, a certified translation or the assistance of an independent qualified translator may be required before the document can be notarised.
Execution of documents
Documents should not normally be signed before meeting the Notary unless expressly instructed. The Notary will supervise execution, verify identity and capacity, complete the appropriate notarial certificate and, where required, arrange legalisation.
Circumstances in which we may decline to act
The practice reserves the right to decline instructions where legal or regulatory obligations cannot be satisfied, including concerns regarding identity, authority, fraud, coercion, sanctions, money laundering, conflicts of interest or the authenticity of documents. Any decision to decline instructions will be made in accordance with professional obligations.
Fees and disbursements
Karram Notaries aims to provide transparent pricing. Fees are determined by reference to the nature and complexity of the work, the time involved, the responsibility assumed by the Notary, urgency, specialist drafting, travel, international requirements and the number of documents requiring notarisation. Fixed fees may be offered for straightforward matters, whilst more complex instructions may be charged on a time basis. In addition to professional fees, clients remain responsible for all disbursements incurred on their behalf, which may include apostille fees, embassy or consular fees, legalisation agent charges, translation costs, Companies House searches, courier charges, international postage, travel expenses and bank transfer charges. See our Fees page for more detail.
Timescales
The overall timeframe for completion will depend upon the nature of the document, the receiving jurisdiction and whether additional legalisation is required. Whilst every effort will be made to meet requested deadlines, no guarantee can be given that documents will be completed within a particular timeframe where third-party involvement is required.
Payment terms
Unless otherwise agreed in writing, payment is due upon completion of the notarial act and prior to release of the completed document. The practice reserves the right to retain documents until all outstanding fees and disbursements have been paid in full. Payment may be made by bank transfer or such other method as may be agreed.
Cancellation policy
If an appointment is cancelled at short notice after significant preparation has been undertaken, the practice reserves the right to charge for work completed and any expenses incurred. Travel costs and third-party charges already incurred remain payable.
Delivery and collection
Completed documents may be collected from the office or dispatched by post or courier in accordance with the client's instructions. Once documents have been handed to a postal operator or courier, delivery times and any resulting delays are outside the control of the practice.
Storage of documents
The practice retains copies of notarial acts and associated records in accordance with professional and regulatory obligations. Original documents will only be retained where expressly agreed or where required by law.
Urgent instructions
Every effort will be made to accommodate urgent matters, including same-day appointments where possible. Additional fees may apply to reflect the priority given to urgent work, evening or weekend appointments, expedited drafting or emergency travel.
Confidentiality
All information received is treated as confidential except where disclosure is required by law, regulation or court order. Confidential information may also be shared with trusted service providers where necessary to carry out instructions, subject to appropriate safeguards. Please see our Privacy Notice for full details of how we handle personal information.
Cyber security
Clients should be aware that cybercrime affecting legal services is increasing. Bank details will never be changed solely by email. Clients should verify any change to payment instructions by telephone before transferring funds.
Electronic communications
Email is used for convenience but cannot be guaranteed to be secure or free from delay. The practice accepts no responsibility for interception or unauthorised alteration of electronic communications beyond its reasonable control.
Professional indemnity insurance
Professional indemnity insurance is maintained with cover of up to £1,000,000 for each claim.
VAT
The practice currently operates as a sole trader and is not VAT registered. If VAT registration becomes applicable, VAT will be charged in accordance with the law.
Limitation of liability
The Notary is responsible only for work expressly agreed. No responsibility is accepted for advice on foreign law unless specifically instructed. The practice shall not be liable for losses arising from inaccurate information supplied by clients or delays caused by third parties, government authorities or courier services.
Force majeure
The practice shall not be liable for failure or delay caused by events beyond reasonable control including natural disasters, strikes, cyber incidents, transport disruption or government action.
Governing law
These Terms are governed by the laws of England and Wales and disputes shall be subject to the jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales.
Equality and accessibility
Karram Notaries is committed to treating all clients fairly, with dignity and respect, and to making reasonable adjustments where required to facilitate access to notarial services.
Client responsibilities
Clients must provide complete and accurate information, produce original documentation when requested, notify the practice of any changes affecting their instructions and settle fees when due.
Termination of instructions
The practice may cease acting where professional obligations require, where instructions become unlawful or misleading, or where fees remain unpaid.
Acceptance of terms
By instructing Karram Notaries, clients acknowledge that they have received and accepted these Terms of Business and Client Care Information.
Complaints
If you are dissatisfied, please see our Complaints procedure. In summary, please contact Yara Karram in writing; an acknowledgement will normally be issued within five working days and a substantive response provided as soon as reasonably practicable. If your complaint cannot be resolved, you may have the right to complain to the Legal Ombudsman or to refer conduct matters to the Faculty Office.
Contact details
Karram Notaries
Academy Gardens, Duchess of Bedford's Walk, London W8 7QQ
Telephone: 07498 201120 · Email: [email protected] · Website: www.karramnotaries.com