Notarized Letters - What does this mean?

[talkinginmaths]

Hi,

I am in the process of my application to become a PR. I will be applying in May 2017 Outland, UK.

I understand I need to ask friends/family to write letters that support our relationship. We are going to get six in total: three from my side, three from hers.

What does notarized specifically mean?

Thanks!

 

[viva-c]

I'm not sure if notarization works differently in the UK. In the US and Canada, it's the process of having a notary officially certify your documents as legitimate.

Here is a list of notaries in the UK: https://www.thenotariessociety.org.uk/

Your Canadian spouse's family, for their letters, should be familiar with how to get something notarized in Canada.

 

[desertFlower]

This means the document has to be certified by a notary.
I don't think the family letters have to be...

 

[viva-c]

This means the document has to be certified by a notary.
I don't think the family letters have to be...

Whenever I see people on this forum talk about submitting letters from their family vouching for their relationship, they almost always mention the letters being notarized. I think it's considered best practice.

 

[Ponga]

This means the document has to be certified by a notary.
I don't think the family letters have to be...

It depends on the type of sponsorship. Common-Law partners require at least two Statutory Declaration [notarized] letters.

 

[danawhitaker]

Whenever I see people on this forum talk about submitting letters from their family vouching for their relationship, they almost always mention the letters being notarized. I think it's considered best practice.

We didn't notarize the letter we included. It may vary on the strength of the application and/or red flags involved, but I'd say for a fairly straightforward application getting things notarized is most likely unnecessary and simply adds to the cost of the application process.