Notary Public
Need important documents notarised? Then you need a Notary Public. Raymond Tan can provide you with a convenient, simple notarial service that meets your specific needs.
What is a Notary Public?
In a nutshell, a Notary Public is a person recognised by law as being able to certify and witness documents, administer oaths and carry out a range of other administrative functions nationally and internationally.
Seal of approval
A Notary Public uses an official stamp and notarial seal to notarise official documents. The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) holds a copy of a Notary’s seal and signature so that, where applicable for a particular country, an Authentication Certificate or Apostille Certificate can be provided as to the authenticity of the Notary’s signature and seal.
What can a Notary Public do for you?
- Verify the signing of documents
- Certify copies of documents
- Prepare, attest and certify deeds and other documents
- Provide certificates of law for use overseas
- Take declarations and receive affidavits for production overseas
- Note ships protests and prepare extended protests
- Note and protest bills of exchange
- Arrange for the Issuing of Apostille/Authentication Certificates from DFAT
- Arrange for legalisation of documents from Embassies/Consulates
Ensure your documents can be used internationally.
Notarising your documents ensures that your documents can be used validly overseas.
Make sure your documents are valid – get them notarised now.
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Notary Public FAQ's
What does a notary public do and when would I need one?
A notary public is a person recognised by law as being able to certify and witness documents, administer oaths, and carry out a range of administrative functions that are accepted both nationally and internationally. You typically need a notary when documents must be used overseas, as foreign governments, courts, and institutions often require notarisation to confirm that signatures, copies, and declarations are genuine and were made in the proper legal form.
At our firm, our notary public, Raymond Tan, provides a convenient and straightforward notarial service tailored to your specific needs. Whether you need a signature verified on a contract, certified copies of identity documents for an overseas application, an affidavit prepared for production in a foreign jurisdiction, or certificates of Australian law for use abroad, we can handle the process efficiently. We also arrange for the issuing of Apostille and Authentication Certificates from the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and for the legalisation of documents through embassies and consulates.
What is an Apostille Certificate and how do I get one in Australia?
An Apostille Certificate is an official document issued by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) that authenticates the signature and seal of an Australian notary public so that notarised documents are accepted in countries that are members of the Hague Apostille Convention. If your documents need to be used in a country that is a party to the Convention, an Apostille replaces the older, more complex process of embassy or consulate legalisation.
We arrange for the issuing of both Apostille Certificates and Authentication Certificates from DFAT as part of our notarial service. The process begins with our notary, Raymond Tan, notarising your documents with his official stamp and notarial seal. Because DFAT holds a copy of our notary’s seal and signature on file, they can verify the authenticity of the notarisation and issue the appropriate certificate. We handle the entire process for you so that your documents are properly prepared and accepted in the destination country without delays or rejections.
What documents can be notarised for use overseas?
Almost any document that needs to be accepted by a foreign government, court, institution, or business can be notarised. Common examples include identity documents such as passports and birth certificates, powers of attorney, statutory declarations and affidavits, contracts, property deeds, corporate documents, academic transcripts, and certificates of law for use in foreign jurisdictions. The specific requirements depend on the destination country and the purpose the document will serve.
Our notarial service covers verifying the signing of documents, certifying copies, preparing and attesting deeds, taking declarations and receiving affidavits for production overseas, and providing certificates of Australian law. We can also note and protest bills of exchange and prepare ship protests for maritime matters. If your documents require additional steps such as an Apostille or Authentication Certificate from DFAT, or legalisation through an embassy or consulate, we arrange that as well. You are welcome to contact us by email or phone to confirm exactly what is needed before your appointment so that we can prepare everything in a single visit.
What is the difference between a notarised document and a certified copy?
A certified copy confirms that a photocopy is a true and accurate reproduction of the original document, while a notarised document carries additional legal weight because it is authenticated by a notary public using an official stamp and notarial seal that are recognised both nationally and internationally. Notarisation is typically required when documents are being used overseas, as foreign authorities need assurance not just that the copy is accurate, but that the person who verified it holds a legally recognised office.
In practice, many foreign governments, courts, and institutions will not accept a simple certified copy and will require full notarisation instead. Our notary public’s seal and signature are held on file by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), which means our notarised documents can be further authenticated with an Apostille or Authentication Certificate if the destination country requires it. If you are unsure whether you need a certified copy or full notarisation, we are happy to clarify the requirements for your specific country and purpose by email or phone before you visit our East Perth office.
How do I get a document legalised by an embassy or consulate in Australia?
To get a document legalised by an embassy or consulate in Australia, the document typically needs to be notarised first by a notary public, then authenticated by DFAT with an Apostille or Authentication Certificate, and finally submitted to the relevant embassy or consulate for legalisation. This multi step process confirms at each stage that the signatures and seals on the document are genuine and that the document has been properly executed under Australian law.
We handle the entire legalisation chain as part of our notarial service, from the initial notarisation through to arranging DFAT authentication and embassy or consulate legalisation. This means you do not need to navigate the process across multiple offices yourself. Different countries have different requirements, some accept an Apostille alone while others require full consular legalisation, so we confirm the exact steps needed for your destination country before we begin. You can reach us by email or phone to discuss your requirements, and we will ensure that your documents are completed correctly the first time.
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