- Under English law a Notary is an officer of the law who holds a public office. The duty and function of a Notary is to prepare, attest, authenticate and certify (for use anywhere in the world), deeds and other documents, under the signature and official seal of the Notary, so as to make them acceptable, as proof of the matters attested or confirmed by the Notary, to the public or judicial ...www.notarypublic.co.uk