Certification & Attestation
At Trent Law Solicitors, we provide a full range of document certification and witnessing services for individuals and businesses. Many official documents must be signed or certified by a solicitor before they are accepted by organisations, government bodies, or the Land Registry.
Certifying Documents as True Copies
If you need to prove that a photocopy is a true copy of an original document — for example, a passport, driving licence or utility bill — simply bring the original and copy to us. We will check and certify the copy for official use.
Witnessing & Legal Declarations
Affidavit
£50 (inc. VAT)
A sworn statement confirmed by oath or affirmation, commonly required in court proceedings.
Statutory Declaration
£50 (inc. VAT)
A formal statement of fact used for official purposes such as identity, residency, or financial matters.
Independent Legal Advice from
£240 (inc. VAT)
Required for certain agreements (e.g., mortgage guarantees, settlement deeds). We ensure you fully understand the risks before signing.
ID1 Forms
£160 (inc. VAT)
Verification of identity forms for HM Land Registry. Our solicitors complete and certify ID1 forms correctly to avoid delays.
Declaration of Trust
£100 (inc. VAT)
A legally binding document setting out how property is owned between joint owners.
Transfer Forms TR1/TP1
£240 (inc. VAT)
Used in property transactions to transfer ownership of land or property. We witness and certify these forms for Land Registry use.
Deed Poll – Change of Name
A Deed Poll is a legal document confirming a change of name, often required to update passports, driving licences, and other official records.
You must be 16 or over to create a Deed Poll (different rules apply for minors).
Names can be changed in full, including adding or removing names, changing spellings, or adopting a new surname.
For additional security, we can guide you through the process of enrolling your Deed Poll at the Royal Courts of Justice.
Fees:
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Adult Deed Poll: £100 (inc. VAT)
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Minor Deed Poll: £600 (inc. VAT & court fees)
What to Bring to Your Appointment
Come with three things and the appointment takes minutes. First, the original document, not a photocopy, since certification depends on our seeing the original. Secondly, photographic identification such as a passport or driving licence, with proof of address where the document calls for it, as ID1 forms do. Thirdly, and most often missed, bring the document unsigned: an affidavit or statutory declaration must be signed in front of the solicitor to be valid, so a signature added at home means starting again. Appointments are available at all four offices, and where the diary allows we see clients the same day.
How Each Service Works
Each service follows its own short path. For certified copies we examine the original, take the copy and certify it there and then. An affidavit is sworn or affirmed before the solicitor, usually for court; a statutory declaration is made under the Statutory Declarations Act 1835 for institutions outside court, and both are witnessed on the spot. For an ID1 form we verify your identity against HM Land Registry's requirements and complete the certification the form needs. A deed poll for an adult is prepared and executed at the appointment; for a child we prepare the application and handle its enrolment at the Royal Courts of Justice, which is the route most authorities require for a minor's change of name.
Why Choose Trent Law Solicitors?
Fully regulated solicitors, authorised by the SRA
Transparent, fixed fees with no hidden charges
Accessible services in Nottingham, Derby, Sheffield, and Leicester
Professional, efficient, and client-focused support
Certification FAQs
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Contact our offices in Nottingham, Derby, Sheffield, or Leicester today and one of our expert solicitors will be in touch.