Notary
Obtain Quote Fees Corporate FAQs

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

 

GENERAL NOTARY SERVICES

 Q:   What is a Notary Public and when do I need one?

A:  A Notary Public is a senior legal officer appointed by the Supreme Court to witness and certify documents for use overseas. You'll need a Notary when:

  • Dealing with overseas property transactions
  • International business contracts 
  • Foreign court documents 
  • Overseas employment documentation
  • Education certificates for international use 
  • Powers of Attorney for overseas use 

 

Q:   What's the difference between a Justice of the Peace (JP) and a Notary Public?

A:   While both can witness documents, a Notary Public's authentication is recognised internationally. JPs are only authorised for domestic Australian documents. For international use, you'll need a Notary Public.

 

DOCUMENT PREPARATION

Q: What should I bring to my notary appointment?

A: Please bring:

  • The original document(s) requiring notarization 
  • Valid government-issued photo ID (passport preferred) 
  • Any supporting documents requested by the receiving country
  • Details of specific requirements from the requesting organization

 

Q:   Do I need to sign the document in front of the Notary?

A:   Yes, for most documents, you must sign in the presence of the Notary.  Never sign documents before your appointment unless specifically instructed otherwise.

 

CORPORATE SERVICES 

Q:   Can you notarize documents for our entire board of directors?

A:   Yes, we offer corporate group appointments and can arrange convenient times for multiple signatories. We also provide mobile services to your office for board meetings.

 

Q: How do you handle urgent international business documents?

A: We offer priority service for urgent business matters with same-day or next-day appointments (depending on availability). For regular corporate clients, we maintain a dedicated priority channel.

 

INTERNATIONAL DOCUMENTS

Q:   Do I need an apostille after notarization?

A:   This depends on the receiving country:

• For countries that are part of the Hague Convention, you'll need an apostille

• For non-Hague Convention countries, you'll need authentication from DFAT and the relevant embassy

 

Q: How long does the entire process take?

A: Timeframes vary depending on the document type and destination country:


• Standard notarization: Same day service available

• Apostille: Additional 1-2 weeks

 

PRICING AND APPOINTMENTS

Q:   How much does notarization cost?

A:   Fees vary depending on:

• Number of documents

• Complexity of service required

• Whether additional certificates are needed

• Urgency of service

We provide a clear quote before proceeding with any service.

 

Q:   Do you offer after-hours appointments?

A:   Yes, we understand business doesn't always happen during standard hours.

We offer:

• Early morning appointments

• Evening appointments

 

SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES

Q:   Can you notarize documents in languages other than English?

A:   Yes, we can notarize documents in foreign languages. However:

• You must understand the document's content

• A certified translation may be required

• Some countries have specific requirements for dual-language documents

 

Q:   What if my document needs to be witnessed by multiple parties?

A:   We can coordinate multi-party signings by:

• Arranging group appointments

• Coordinating with other notaries for interstate/international parties

• Providing guidance on sequential signing requirements