Notary Public

Documents being sent overseas often need more than an ordinary signature or certified copy. Patrick Sutton is a Notary Public and provides notarial services through LegalSense NQ in Townsville.

If an overseas organisation, lawyer or government authority has asked for a document to be notarised, contact our team with its instructions. We can discuss what is required and help you prepare for an appointment.

Notarial services

The work required depends on the document and the authority receiving it. Services may include:

• Witnessing signatures on documents intended for use overseas.
• Taking affidavits, declarations and oaths.
• Certifying copies of original documents.
• Notarial certification involving educational or other personal documents.
• Preparing or certifying powers of attorney and other legal documents for international use.
• Life certificates and other identity-related notarial documents.

Please send the receiving authority's requirements in advance. A particular format, wording or supporting document may be needed, and not every document can be handled in the same way.

Notarisation, apostilles and authentication

Notarisation and legalisation are separate steps. After notarisation, the receiving authority may require an apostille or authentication from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), and possibly further steps.

Confirm the requirements with the overseas recipient before proceeding. A notary does not issue DFAT apostilles, and notarisation alone does not guarantee that a document will be accepted overseas. See DFAT's guide to getting documents legalised.

Preparing for your appointment

• Provide the full document and the instructions from the overseas authority.
• Tell us which country the document will be used in and any relevant deadline.
• Ask our team which original identity documents you need to bring.
• Bring the originals of documents requiring certified copies.
• Leave documents unsigned where the signature needs to be witnessed.
• Let us know in advance if a document is in a language other than English.

This preparation helps us identify any additional information needed before you attend. If the document involves a company, trust or another person signing on someone's behalf, please explain that arrangement when booking.

Common questions

What is the difference between a Notary Public and a Justice of the Peace?

Notaries public are sometimes referred to as 'international Justices of the Peace', but this is a misnomer. They are different roles.

The most significant difference is that a Notary Public in Queensland must be a lawyer with at least 10 years of professional experience and an unrestricted practising certificate. A Justice of the Peace (JP) is not required to be a lawyer.

A Notary Public is recognised internationally for their role in validating documents for use overseas, while a JP generally witnesses and certifies documents for use within Australia. If your documents will be used overseas, check the receiving authority's requirements.

Can you confirm the cost and timing?

Contact our team with the documents, the number of copies needed and the overseas instructions. We can then discuss the proposed notarial work and appointment arrangements. Any separate DFAT or overseas processing should be allowed for in your planning.

This page provides general information only. The advice and steps appropriate for you depend on your circumstances and the documents involved.