Public Notary

Overview

Many overseas authorities require documents to be signed or certified by a public notary before they will be accepted. This is often the case for visas, overseas property transactions, international business dealings and study or work abroad.

As a public notary, Philip Davis can witness signatures and certify copies of documents for use overseas, helping you meet the formalities required by foreign governments, courts and organisations.

What is a Public Notary?

A public notary is a senior lawyer authorised to verify identities, witness signatures and certify documents for use outside Australia. The notary's seal and signature confirm to overseas authorities that the document has been properly signed or certified in accordance with Australian law.

Notarisation may be required in addition to, or instead of, witnessing by a Justice of the Peace or other Australian official, depending on the requirements of the overseas country.

Documents We Can Notarise

We notarise a wide range of personal and commercial documents for use overseas, including:

Apostille and Legalisation

In many cases, notarisation is only the first step. Some countries require notarised documents to be further authenticated by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) or by a foreign embassy or consulate.

We can:

• Advise whether your documents are likely to need an Apostille or legalisation.
• Liaise with DFAT to arrange an Apostille or authentication where required.
• Provide guidance about any additional steps requested by the overseas authority.

This helps ensure that, once notarised, your documents will be accepted by the relevant authority overseas.

What to Bring to Your Appointment

To avoid delays, please bring:

• The documents you need notarised (in their original form, if applicable).
• Clear instructions from the overseas authority, if you have them.
• Valid photo identification, such as a passport or driver licence.
• Any forms that need to be completed or signed at the appointment.

If you are unsure what is required, contact us before your appointment and we will clarify what you need to provide.