Have your legal documents notarised

We provide notarial services to authenticate documents for use in foreign countries, foreign courts, and formal legal processes.

Many legal and official processes, particularly those involving foreign jurisdictions, require documents to be authenticated by a notary public rather than a solicitor or justice of the peace. The form of notarisation required, and whether additional authentication such as an apostille is needed, depends on the country and the purpose for which the document is being used. We provide notarial services and advise on what form of authentication is required for the document and the jurisdiction involved.

What is a notary public and when are notarial services required?

A notary public is a lawyer who has been specifically admitted to the role of notary and has authority to authenticate documents in a way that is recognised internationally, including for use in foreign courts, foreign government agencies, and international transactions.

Notarial services are commonly required for documents being used in foreign countries, including powers of attorney, statutory declarations, corporate documents, and documents related to property transactions, adoption, immigration, and academic qualifications. Where a document is destined for a country that is party to the Hague Convention Abolishing the Requirement of Legalisation for Foreign Public Documents 1961, it may need to be accompanied by an apostille issued by the relevant Australian authority, which certifies the notary’s signature and authority. For countries that are not party to the Hague Convention, a different process of authentication, known as legalisation, may be required through the relevant embassy or consulate. We provide notarial services, advise on whether an apostille or other further authentication is required, and assist in obtaining the additional authentication where it is needed.

What is the difference between a notary public and a justice of the peace?

A justice of the peace is authorised to witness signatures and certify copies of documents for use within Australia, but their certification is generally not recognised internationally. A notary public is a specially admitted lawyer whose authentication of documents is recognised in most countries around the world, making notarisation the appropriate form of authentication for documents that need to be used in foreign jurisdictions. We advise on whether the document you need authenticated requires a notary public or whether another form of certification will be sufficient for the purpose involved.

What is an apostille and do I need one?

An apostille is a certificate issued by a competent authority in Australia that authenticates the signature and authority of the notary public who notarised the document, and is required for documents being used in countries that are party to the Hague Convention Abolishing the Requirement of Legalisation for Foreign Public Documents 1961. Whether you need an apostille depends on the country in which the document is to be used and the requirements of the receiving authority. We advise on whether an apostille is required and assist in obtaining one from the relevant Australian authority.

What documents can a notary public notarise?

A notary public can notarise a wide range of documents, including powers of attorney, statutory declarations, affidavits, corporate resolutions, agreements, contracts, certified copies of original documents, and documents related to property transactions, adoption, immigration, and academic qualifications. The specific documents that can be notarised, and the form that notarisation must take, depend on the requirements of the receiving authority in the country where the document is to be used. We advise on what the receiving authority requires and ensure that the notarisation is completed in the correct form.

How long does notarisation take?

The time required for notarisation depends on the complexity of the document, whether the original document needs to be reviewed, and whether additional authentication such as an apostille is required after notarisation. Notarisation of straightforward documents can typically be completed within a short time once an appointment is made, but obtaining an apostille or other further authentication through the relevant Australian or foreign authority may take additional time. We advise on the likely timeline for the complete process so that any deadlines imposed by the receiving authority can be met.

Advice on what form of authentication is required before the documents are prepared.

Notarisation completed in the form that the receiving authority will accept.

Assistance obtaining apostilles and further authentication where required.

Documents that need to be used overseas must be authenticated in a way that the receiving authority will recognise.

The requirements for authenticating documents for use in foreign jurisdictions vary by country and purpose, and documents that are not authenticated in the correct form can be rejected by the receiving authority. Notarial services, combined with the appropriate additional authentication, provide the level of certification that most foreign authorities require.

Documents that need to work overseas need to be authenticated in a way that overseas authorities will accept.

You have documents that need to be used in a foreign country or in a formal legal process that requires authentication beyond what a solicitor or justice of the peace can provide. The requirements of the receiving authority, including whether an apostille or further authentication is needed, are not always clear, and documents submitted in the wrong form can be rejected, causing delays. Notarial services completed in the correct form ensure that your documents will be accepted by the authority they are being submitted to.

We will advise on what form of authentication is required for the document and the jurisdiction and purpose involved.
We will complete the notarisation in the form required by the receiving authority.
We will advise on whether an apostille or other further authentication is required and assist in obtaining it.
We will advise on the timeline for the complete process so that any deadlines can be met.

You have legal documents that need to be used overseas or in formal legal proceedings, and the process of having those documents authenticated requires a notary public whose appointment and signature will be recognised by the relevant authority.

Most people encounter notarial services for the first time when they are about to submit documents to a foreign authority, a foreign court, or a transaction that requires formal authentication beyond what a solicitor or justice of the peace can provide. The distinction between what a notary public does and what other professionals do is often not clear to someone who has not encountered the requirement before, and the documents that need to be notarised, the form that notarisation must take, and the additional authentication that may be required vary depending on the country and purpose involved. Getting clear advice on what is required before the documents are prepared avoids the cost and delay of having to repeat the process.

What's included in your notarial services

Authentication requirements advice for the relevant jurisdiction and purpose.
Document notarisation in the required form.
Apostille and further authentication assistance.
Timeline advice for the complete authentication process.
Certified copy preparation and authentication.

What goes wrong when documents are authenticated in the wrong form for the jurisdiction involved?

Documents that are submitted to foreign authorities without the correct form of authentication are frequently rejected, requiring the process to be repeated from the beginning. The most common problem is that documents are witnessed by a justice of the peace or solicitor when notarisation is required, or that they are notarised but not accompanied by an apostille that the receiving country requires. In either case, the result is delay, additional cost, and, in time-sensitive situations, the risk of missing a deadline that cannot be extended.

Here is how we ensure your documents are authenticated in the form the receiving authority will accept.

We advise on what form of authentication is required for the document and the jurisdiction and purpose involved before any documents are prepared. We complete the notarisation in the correct form and advise on whether an apostille or further authentication is required. We assist in obtaining any additional authentication and advise on the timeline to ensure that deadlines imposed by the receiving authority can be met.

Three steps to getting your documents authenticated for use in the relevant jurisdiction.

Requirements confirmed, notarisation completed, authentication obtained.

Confirm the requirements.

We advise on what form of authentication is required for the document, the jurisdiction, and the purpose so that the process is completed correctly the first time.

Complete the notarisation.

We notarise the document in the form required by the receiving authority and advise on any limitations or conditions that apply.

Obtain further authentication.

We advise on whether an apostille or other further authentication is required and assist in obtaining it through the relevant authority.

Notary public services for documents to be used in foreign jurisdictions and formal legal proceedings, provided across Australia by lawyers admitted as notaries public.

People who need notarial services often encounter the requirement for the first time at a point when there is a deadline pressing, a transaction waiting, or a visa or legal process that cannot proceed without the authenticated document. We provide notarial services promptly and advise on the complete authentication process so that the document is ready in the form the receiving authority requires within the time available.

We understand you want to know the cost, before we get started.

We will map out our process, from beginning to end, so you know what the journey will look like before you get started.

We will provide you with a clear and detailed Work Proposal covering each step along the way.

Our fair fees are all-inclusive. No hidden costs for telephone calls, emails, photocopying, couriers, or coffee.

Our great lawyer guarantee

We want to be part of your team over the long term. We achieve this by adhering to these core principles:

Take the time

We listen carefully to understand what you want to achieve. Then we thoroughly explain our advice and step you through the documents. You can be sure you know the full consequences.

Share our knowledge

We will pass on as much knowledge as we can, so you can make your own informed decisions. We want to make you truly independent.

Stick to our knitting

We only do what we're good at. You can be confident that we know what we're doing and don't pass on the cost of our learning.

Work as one team

Someone will always be available to answer your questions, or point you in the right direction. You will also benefit from a range of perspectives and experience.

Fair pricing

For advice and documents, we provide a fixed or capped quote so you don't take price risk. If you're in a dispute, we map out the process and costs so you know what to expect.

It's your show

We're not in this for our egos. We're in it for a front row seat to witness your success.

Ready to have your documents notarised?

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