Grant of Probate
Notarisation and Apostille Services for Grant of Probate
If you are the executor of a will with assets located abroad, you may need to have your Grant of Probate notarised and apostilled. At Wharf Notaries, our expert team is here to assist you in authenticating your document efficiently and professionally.
What is a Grant of Probate?
A Grant of Probate is a legal document that grants the executor named in a will the authority to administer the deceased person’s estate, which may include selling property, settling debts, or managing financial accounts. Typically, a Grant of Probate is necessary to manage the assets, although it may not be required if the estate is valued under £10,000 or if all property is jointly owned.
Why You Might Need Notarisation and an Apostille Certificate for a Grant of Probate
As an executor dealing with assets abroad, you may need to present various documents, including the Grant of Probate, the death certificate, and the last will and testament. To verify the authenticity of these documents, an apostille may be required. If the document is not an original version stamped, sealed, or signed by the court, it must be notarised first. Wharf Notaries can handle the notarisation and apostille for you, along with any necessary translations or consular legalisation.
How was the Grant of Probate issued?
A Grant of Probate can be issued in several formats:
- Original court document: Stamped, sealed, or signed by the court or an official.
- Original court document: Not stamped, sealed, or signed.
- Photocopy: A copy of the original court document.
- Electronic document: A printout of the original electronic document.
Process to Notarise and Apostille a Grant of Probate
Wharf Notaries offers a fast and cost-effective process to assist you with the notarisation and apostille of your Grant of Probate:
- Contact Us: Reach out to our team to discuss your needs. You will need to complete our online Client Registration Form, and we will guide you through the identification and verification process.
- Document Assessment: If the Grant of Probate is an original physical document that is stamped, sealed, or signed by the court, it can go directly for an apostille from the FCDO without notarisation.
- Notarisation Requirement: If the original document is not stamped, sealed, or signed, it will require notarisation. We will verify its authenticity and attach a notarial certificate.
- Photocopy Notarisation: If you have a photocopy, we will notarise it before obtaining an apostille, verifying the authenticity of the original document.
- Electronic Document Notarisation: If your document is electronic, we will need the original PDF. We will print it, check its authenticity, and then notarise it.
- Apostille Application: We will submit the notarised document to the FCDO for an apostille, using either our Premium or Standard service. If embassy legalisation is necessary, we can handle that after the apostille process.
- Document Delivery: Once completed, we will email you a PDF scan of your document and return the original via your chosen method—collection, post, or courier.
Our experienced notaries will ensure that all necessary checks are performed, and a notarial certification is issued. We offer a Premium same-day apostille service for urgent requests and a standard service for those who can wait 3-5 working days.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Grant of Probate
What documents do I need to provide for the notarisation process?
You will typically need to provide the original Grant of Probate document, the death certificate, and the last will and testament. Depending on how your Grant of Probate was issued, additional documents may be required.
How do I know if my Grant of Probate needs notarisation?
If the Grant of Probate is an original document with a court stamp, seal, or signature, it may not need notarisation. However, if it is a photocopy or an electronic version without these, it will need to be notarised before it can be apostilled.
How long does the notarisation and apostille process take?
The notarisation process can often be completed within the same day, while the apostille process can take anywhere from a few hours (for the premium service) to 3-5 working days for the standard service.
How will I receive my notarised and apostilled Grant of Probate?
Once the process is complete, we will email you a PDF scan of your documents and then return the original via your chosen method, whether that be collection, post, or courier.
What types of assets typically require a Grant of Probate?
A Grant of Probate is often needed for a variety of assets, including real estate, bank accounts, investments, personal property, and any assets that the deceased solely owned.
Contact Us Today for Grant of Probate Notarisation and Apostille Services
If you require a Grant of Probate notarised in London, Wharf Notaries is here to help. Our team offers a seamless, efficient, and professional notarisation and apostille service tailored to your specific needs. Reach out to us today to get started!