Notary Services
Notarisation of documents for use overseas, plus guidance on apostilles, authentication and embassy legalisation.
What a notary does
A Notary Public is a senior legal practitioner authorised to witness signatures, certify documents and verify identity so that documents signed or issued in Australia are accepted by authorities overseas.
Whether you are buying property abroad, studying or working overseas, or dealing with a family or business matter in another country, we can notarise your documents and guide you through any further legalisation the receiving country requires.
Our principal lawyer, Dipak Patel, is a Notary Public for Queensland. He is also an Advocate of the Gujarat High Court in India, so he is familiar with documents prepared for use there. He speaks English, Gujarati and Hindi.
How to get a document notarised
- 1
Book an appointment
Book online or call us. Let us know what the document is and which country it is going to, and send a copy beforehand if you can.
- 2
Bring photo ID
Bring your current passport or driver licence, and the original document. Do not sign the document before your appointment.
- 3
Sign and notarise
We confirm your identity, witness your signature and attach the notarial certificate. Most appointments are finished in one visit.
What we notarise
- Witnessing signatures on overseas documents
- Powers of attorney for use overseas
- Certified copies of passports, licences and identity documents
- Certified copies of academic transcripts and qualifications
- Statutory declarations and affidavits for overseas use
- Property and inheritance documents for overseas matters
- Company and commercial documents
- Birth, marriage and other civil documents
What to bring
- Current photo ID, such as a passport or driver licence
- The original, unsigned document
- Any instructions from the overseas authority or recipient
- Original certificates if you need certified copies
Fees
Fees depend on the type and number of documents and whether apostille, authentication or embassy legalisation is required. We will confirm the cost before your appointment, so there are no surprises.
Using your document overseas
Depending on the destination country, a notarised document may need one or two further steps. We can arrange these for you.
Step 1
Notarisation
We witness, certify or verify your document and issue a signed, sealed notarial certificate.
Step 2
Apostille or authentication
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) confirms the notary's signature and seal. Hague Convention countries receive an apostille; other countries receive an authentication.
Step 3
Embassy legalisation
Some countries that are not part of the Hague Convention also require the document to be legalised by their embassy or consulate in Australia.
Frequently asked questions
A notary verifies identity, witnesses signatures and certifies documents so they are recognised by authorities outside Australia. Their signature and seal are registered so overseas authorities can confirm them.
A JP can witness documents for use within Australia. Documents going overseas usually need to be signed before a notary, because overseas authorities and DFAT recognise a notary's signature and seal.
Both are issued by DFAT and confirm that the notary's signature and seal are genuine. An apostille is used for countries that are part of the Hague Apostille Convention. An authentication is used for other countries, which may also require embassy legalisation.
The overseas authority, bank, university or lawyer asking for the document usually specifies the requirements. If you are unsure, send us their instructions and we will tell you what is needed.
No. Where a signature needs to be witnessed, you must sign in front of the notary. Bring the document unsigned.
Let us know when you book. Depending on the document, we may need a certified translation so we understand what is being signed.
The notarisation itself is usually completed at your appointment. Apostilles and authentications depend on DFAT processing times, and embassy legalisation depends on the embassy.
Need a document notarised?
Email your document to [email protected] and we will confirm what is required.