In Scotland the equivalent notarial work covers preparing and signing notarial instruments and certificates, administering oaths and affidavits, taking declarations, certifying copies and witnessing execution of documents such as powers of attorney and documents for use overseas. A Scottish solicitor who is also a notary records the notarial act in the notarial protocol, verifies identity and capacity, and arranges any required apostille or consular legalisation before documents are presented to foreign authorities, banks or overseas land or probate authorities.
Where a solicitor protects your position
The decisive protection is the notarial instrument and the subsequent apostille or consular legalisation where required by the receiving state. Absent the correct notarial attestation and legalisation, overseas transactions—property disposition, bank mandates, probate or immigration applications—may not be accepted or may be impossible to complete. A notary records the act formally in the notarial protocol and issues a certified notarial certificate that overseas bodies can verify.