A notary (also referred to as a notary public or public notary) is a practising lawyer appointed by Statute or Commission to hold a unique public office. They have the internationally recognised power and authority to prepare certificates of Australian law. This includes documents such as contracts and deeds, authenticated by his or her signature and official seal, in a manner which renders them acceptable to the judicial or other public authorities in the countries in which they are produced.
A notary public also has the authority to administer oaths to the effect that a person signing a legal document was in fact, under oath when doing so. Notaries also perform other administrative functions of an international nature, and can provide official verification of the identities of the signing parties enough to satisfy the Courts and to verify statements made as accurate and therefore, legally binding.
What are a Notary’s Prime Responsibilities?
- To attest/affirm and certify legal documents for use in Australia/internationally, including powers of attorney, wills, deeds and contracts
- To administer oaths for use in Australia/internationally
- To witness affidavits, statutory declarations and other documents for use in Australia/internationally
- Exemplification of official documents for use internationally (i.e. make an attested copy of a document under seal)
- Noting and contesting bills of exchange
- Preparation of ships’ protests
We have experience in notarising documents for use in Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Croatia, Ethiopia, Fiji, France, Georgia, Germany, India, Indonesia, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kenya, Latvia, Macedonia, Malaysia, Montenegro, New Zealand, Philippines, Poland, Romania, Russia, Scotland, Slovakia, South Africa, Spain, Thailand, The Netherlands, Turkey, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States of America and Yugoslavia.
Shire Legal’s principal, Melissa Bush, is one of the few lawyers in the Sutherland Shire duly appointed as a Notary Public by the Supreme Court of New South Wales.
How do I make an appointment?
There are different types of notarisation required, depending on the type of document, the country it is required for, and any particular specifications from the overseas lawyer. Therefore it is imperative that prior to the appointment, the Notary Public is able to verify exactly the type of notarisation required and therefore the fee involved.
If you require notarial services:
- Email the document(s) to be notarised, as well as any instructions received from the overseas lawyer who prepared the document, to info@shirelegal.com.au – ideally, forward any emails that you have received from the overseas lawyer and which attach the document(s) to be notarised
- Our Notary Public will then review the document and information and let you know if there is any further information or documentation required to determine the type of notarisation required
- Once all of the information is received, the Notary Public will be able to email you to confirm the type of notarisation required and the fee
- You can then use our online booking portal to make an appointment on a day and at a time suitable to you – ensure that you select “Notarial Services” for your appointment type
- Depending on the type of notarisation required, you may be required to bring to the appointment 100 points of original identification, plus the document to be notarised and the originals and copies of any documents that need to be certified as true copies
Justice of the Peace
A Notary Public is not a Justice of the Peace (JP). A JP’s primary role is to witness a person making a statutory declaration or affidavit, and to certify copies of original documents – although this is usually limited to documents required for use within Australia. Our team member Vicki Stokes is a JP and is available to witness or certify documents
Contact us to find out more or to arrange an appointment.