Documents certified, signatures witnessed and documents authenticated for use overseas. Bring the original document and your photo ID.
If a bank, university, court or government office overseas has asked for a notarised document, you need a public notary. A Justice of the Peace is not enough.
A public notary is a lawyer appointed under the Public Notaries Act 1997 and entered on the Roll of Public Notaries in New South Wales. The notary’s seal and signature are recognised internationally, which is what makes your document usable in another country.
Appointments are available at our Sydney CBD office, including same day and after hours by arrangement. Send us a photo of the document before you come in and we will tell you exactly what to bring.
Hunter Shafiz Lawyers assists individuals and businesses with certified copies, witnessing signatures, powers of attorney, affidavits, academic documents, corporate documents and anything else requiring notarisation.
Depending on the destination country and the purpose of the document, you may also need an Apostille, DFAT authentication or consular legalisation. We advise you on what is required and handle the process from notarisation through to authentication or legalisation.
Passports, birth and marriage certificates, citizenship certificates, identity documents and other official documents certified for use overseas.
Powers of attorney, deeds, contracts, forms and other documents that need to be signed in front of a public notary.
Where you are authorising someone to act for you, manage property or deal with legal or financial matters in another country.
Affidavits, statutory declarations, affirmations and other documents that need to be sworn, affirmed or declared before a public notary.
Degrees, testamurs, academic transcripts and other educational records requiring verification or notarisation for use overseas.
Company records, ASIC documents, board and shareholder resolutions, certificates of good standing, powers of attorney and commercial documents for international transactions.
Buying or selling property overseas, overseas property transactions, inheritance matters and dealing with an estate in another country.
Some documents need an Apostille or authentication from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade before they can be used overseas. We tell you what is required and arrange it for you.
Some countries require documents to be authenticated by DFAT and then legalised by their embassy or consulate. We assist with that process where required.
Send us a photo of the document and tell us which country it is going to. We will let you know what to bring and whether an Apostille, DFAT authentication or consular legalisation is also required.
Many people do not realise their document needs a further step until an overseas authority rejects it. We identify that up front and arrange the DFAT and consular process on your behalf.
Notarising a document does not take long. Where we can, we offer same day appointments so it is not hanging over you.
Clear fixed fee pricing for most notarial services, so there are no surprises at your appointment.
A JP commonly witnesses signatures and certifies documents for use in Australia. A public notary is a lawyer authorised to certify, witness and authenticate documents for use overseas. If an overseas bank, court, university or government authority has asked for a notarised document, you will generally need a public notary rather than a JP.
The original document and current photo identification, such as your passport or driver licence. If the document is going to a particular organisation overseas, bring or send us any instructions they have given you. These often specify exactly how the document must be notarised.
Not if your signature needs to be witnessed. Bring the document unsigned and sign it in front of the public notary. If you are unsure, send us a copy beforehand and we will tell you what to do.
Often, yes. It depends on the country, the document and the requirements of the organisation receiving it. Tell us where the document is going and we will tell you which one you need.
Both are issued by DFAT to legalise Australian documents for use overseas. An Apostille is generally used for countries that are parties to the Hague Apostille Convention. An authentication is generally used where the destination country is not part of the Convention, and it may then need legalising through that country’s embassy or consulate.
Most straightforward appointments take around fifteen minutes. More complex documents take longer. If your document also needs an Apostille, DFAT authentication or consular legalisation, additional processing time applies. We will explain the process and a realistic timeframe before you proceed.
Yes. Contact us first and, where you can, send a photo of the document. That lets us check what is required, tell you what to bring and confirm the fee before you come in.
A fixed fee per document, and we tell you the cost before your appointment. The fee depends on the document and the service required. Apostille, authentication, consular and other third party fees are additional where they apply.
In many cases, yes. Send us a copy first so we can check what is required. Depending on the document and its intended use, a translation may also be needed.
Usually. If you are working to a deadline, tell us when you call and what the deadline is. We can often arrange something, including after hours by appointment.
Often, yes. Many of our notary clients are dealing with an immigration matter at the same time, and we are also immigration lawyers. See our immigration law services if that is also something you need help with.
“Had an excellent experience with this firm. They are responsive and I always speak to my lawyer directly and not through their staff. Highly recommend them.”
I. Haider
101 Bathurst Street, Sydney NSW 2000. Monday to Friday, 9am to 8pm. Same day and after hours by arrangement.
