When You’ll Need to Use a Notary

A notary public is a public officer who serves the public in non-contentious matters and authenticates legal documents. The main purpose of a notary public is to prevent fraud by witnessing the signing of documents and verifying their authority. There are many situations when a notary's services will be required.

Affidavits

An affidavit is a sworn, written statement from a witness in a legal case. This document sets out the facts of the case as 100% true and factual. In simple terms, an affidavit is the written version of a sworn testament. In order to verify that the affidavit is factual, it will need to be notarised by a notary public. This involves the individual swearing the affidavit and then signing the document in the presence of the notary. The notary will verify the affidavit by completing and signing a jurat on the affidavit. It can then be submitted as evidence to the court.

Power of Attorney

A power of attorney is a legal document that gives another person or persons, the authority to handle your finances and home for you or to make decisions on your behalf. Once you have selected someone you trust to be your attorney a document will need to be drawn up that will outline all the conditions, duties and time duration of the power of attorney. In order for this document to be recognised as a legal and authentic document, it will need to be signed by a notary public. Once notarised your attorney will have the ability to perform tasks and make decisions within the conditions of the document.

Foreign Adoptions

A foreign adoption is an extremely complicated legal process. Before a foreign adoption authority will approve the adoption of a child into Ireland, they will require copies of very many documents including birth certificates, medical assessments, declaration of eligibility and much more. The documents will have to be notarised by a notary public to ensure authenticity and to satisfy the regulations and directives of the foreign authorities.

Other Situations

 Other situations that will require the services of a notary include:

• Buying or selling a house
• Transferring property to a family member
• Getting a Mortgage
• Writing a Last Will & Testament 
• Moving country

Hugh McGroddy Notary Dublin 

If you need to an Affidavit sworn, want to set up a Power of Attorney, or require any other Notary Public Services  contact the team at Hugh McGroddy Notary on 01 4404890 or at hmcgroddy@williamjbrennan.com or visit our Notary page for more information.