Confirm a notarial or document service is not available
Source: gov.uk (2025-09-18)

Letters explaining services are not available in some British embassies, high commissions and consulates. Sometimes called information notes.

In Commonwealth countries (https://thecommonwealth.org/our-member-countries), British high commissions and consulates cannot provide any notarial services. This includes services like certifying documents and administering oaths and affirmations that prove you’re free to get married.

In some other, non-Commonwealth countries, British embassies and consulates cannot offer certain notarial and document services.

If you need one of these services, you should find a local lawyer (notary) (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/find-a-notary-abroad).

If you’re asked to provide proof that a service is not available, you can:
- download the relevant letter, if one is available, from this page
- contact the embassy, high commission or consulate to request a letter (https://www.contact.service.csd.fcdo.gov.uk/written-enquiry)
Notarial services unavailable

If you need to explain or prove that notarial services are not available, download the relevant letter.

Stamped and signed versions of these letters cost £50 but are only available in some countries. Ask the British embassy, high commission or consulate (https://www.contact.service.csd.fcdo.gov.uk/written-enquiry?utm_source=notarial+service+not+available&utm_medium=notarial&utm_campaign=FCDO) if you can get a stamped and signed version.

These letters do not represent all the countries where notarial services are unavailable.

(https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/664e034f993111924d9d3a19/Bangladesh_notarial_services.pdf)

Bangladesh: notarial services (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/664e034f993111924d9d3a19/Bangladesh_notarial_services.pdf)

PDF, 98.3 KB, 1 page

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If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx). Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

(https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/68cba6ad995dfd01bff0c043/Notarial_Letter_Brunei.pdf)

Brunei: notarial acts letter (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/68cba6ad995dfd01bff0c043/Notarial_Letter_Brunei.pdf)

PDF, 1.32 MB, 1 page

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx). Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

(https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/664e00874f29e1d07fadcced/Cyprus_notarial_services.pdf)

Cyprus: notarial services (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/664e00874f29e1d07fadcced/Cyprus_notarial_services.pdf)

PDF, 166 KB, 1 page

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx). Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

(https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6646183e993111924d9d36a4/Undertaking_Notarial_Acts.pdf)

India: notarial services (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6646183e993111924d9d36a4/Undertaking_Notarial_Acts.pdf)

PDF, 189 KB, 1 page

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx). Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

(https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/68ca213d2fe4b313286c9f92/Malaysia_-_Notarial_Acts_Letter.pdf)

Malaysia: notarial acts letter (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/68ca213d2fe4b313286c9f92/Malaysia_-_Notarial_Acts_Letter.pdf)

PDF, 1.24 MB, 1 page

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx). Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

(https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/664619624f29e1d07fadc9a6/Notarial_services_letter-Islamabad.pdf)

Pakistan: notarial services (Islamabad) (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/664619624f29e1d07fadc9a6/Notarial_services_letter-Islamabad.pdf)

PDF, 20.8 KB, 1 page

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

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(https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/66461990993111924d9d36a6/Notarial_services_letter-Karachi.pdf)

Pakistan: notarial services (Karachi) (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/66461990993111924d9d36a6/Notarial_services_letter-Karachi.pdf)

PDF, 64.7 KB, 1 page

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx). Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

(https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/66953d0dfc8e12ac3edafd1d/Philippines_gen_notarial.odt)

Philippines: notarial services (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/66953d0dfc8e12ac3edafd1d/Philippines_gen_notarial.odt)

ODT, 28.3 KB

This file is in an OpenDocument (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/using-open-document-formats-odf-in-your-organisation) format

(https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/66461ab4b7249a4c6e9d367d/Notarial_Letter_-_Singapore.pdf)

Singapore: notarial services (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/66461ab4b7249a4c6e9d367d/Notarial_Letter_-_Singapore.pdf)

PDF, 259 KB, 1 page

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx). Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

(https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/66461703ae748c43d3793d3e/Notarial_Acts.pdf)

South Africa: notarial services (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/66461703ae748c43d3793d3e/Notarial_Acts.pdf)

PDF, 51.6 KB, 1 page

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx). Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

(https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/68caed5b1eabc899da7084f3/Notarial_services_not_available_-_Sri_Lanka.pdf)

Sri Lanka: notarial services (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/68caed5b1eabc899da7084f3/Notarial_services_not_available_-_Sri_Lanka.pdf)

PDF, 125 KB, 1 page

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx). Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

(https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/66953e15fc8e12ac3edafd1e/Turkey_gen_notarial.odt)

Turkey: notarial services (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/66953e15fc8e12ac3edafd1e/Turkey_gen_notarial.odt)

ODT, 34.4 KB

This file is in an OpenDocument (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/using-open-document-formats-odf-in-your-organisation) format

Marriage: certificate of no impediment unavailable

If you need to explain or prove that a marriage notarial service is not available, download the relevant letter. If your country or territory is not listed use the ‘All countries and territories’ letter.

Stamped and signed versions of these letters cost £50 but are only available in some countries. Ask the British embassy, high commission or consulate (https://www.contact.service.csd.fcdo.gov.uk/written-enquiry?utm_source=notarial+service+not+available&utm_medium=notarial&utm_campaign=FCDO) if you can get a stamped and signed version.

(https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/66d838b1fe7cca6f5744d1c1/Global_marriage_information_note.pdf)

All countries and territories: certificate of no impediment (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/66d838b1fe7cca6f5744d1c1/Global_marriage_information_note.pdf)

PDF, 168 KB, 1 page

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx). Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

(https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/663e33b3993111924d9d32b0/B_-_Information_note_Marriage_s.pdf)

Brunei: certificate of no impediment (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/663e33b3993111924d9d32b0/B_-_Information_note_Marriage_s.pdf)

PDF, 382 KB, 1 page

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx). Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

(https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/664e0068bd01f5ed327940a9/India_no_objection_certificate.pdf)

India: certificate of no impediment (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/664e0068bd01f5ed327940a9/India_no_objection_certificate.pdf)

PDF, 1.06 MB, 1 page

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx). Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

(https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/669528c3fc8e12ac3edafcdc/Laos_CNI.pdf)

Laos: certificate of no impediment (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/669528c3fc8e12ac3edafcdc/Laos_CNI.pdf)

PDF, 76.8 KB, 1 page

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx). Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

(https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/66461897f34f9b5a56adc969/BHCKL_-_Certificate_of_No_Impediment_letter.pdf)

Malaysia: certificate of no impediment (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/66461897f34f9b5a56adc969/BHCKL_-_Certificate_of_No_Impediment_letter.pdf)

PDF, 336 KB, 1 page

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx). Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

(https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6695234e0808eaf43b50cf6d/Netherlands_No_CNI.pdf)

Netherlands: certificate of no impediment (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6695234e0808eaf43b50cf6d/Netherlands_No_CNI.pdf)

PDF, 56.3 KB, 1 page

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx). Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

(https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/66584ad97b792ffff71a8534/CNI_Request_Nigeria.pdf)

Nigeria: certificate of no impediment (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/66584ad97b792ffff71a8534/CNI_Request_Nigeria.pdf)

PDF, 799 KB, 1 page

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx). Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

(https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/685d236df85b4b993fd7528d/Notice_-_Marriage_in_Portugal_Jun_2025.pdf)

Portugal: certificate of no impediment (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/685d236df85b4b993fd7528d/Notice_-_Marriage_in_Portugal_Jun_2025.pdf)

PDF, 128 KB, 1 page

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx). Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

(https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6646173a993111924d9d36a3/Certificate_of_No_Impediment.pdf)

South Africa: certificate of no impediment (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6646173a993111924d9d36a3/Certificate_of_No_Impediment.pdf)

PDF, 59.9 KB, 1 page

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx). Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.