In general, the answer to this question is yes. The first time we notarise a client’s signature on a document, it is preferable for us to meet the signatory in person, identify them by means of their identity documents and witness their signature.
It is particularly necessary that the document is executed in the presence of the notary where this is required either by Northern Ireland law or by the applicable foreign law for the formal validity of the document, such as for affidavits or statutory declarations or for certain public form powers of attorney. It is normally clear on the face of the document when the notary must be present, such as by the inclusion of the words “Before me”.
When the notary does not need to state expressly that the document has been signed before him/her and already has a record of the signature on file, the documents may be sent round to our office and the notary may certify the authenticity of a signature without witnessing it.
