What is a Notary Public?

In Australia, a public notary is a practising lawyer or solicitor who has special statutory powers to prepare and certify documents, witness signatures, confirm a person’s identity, administer oaths, take statutory declarations and provide a range of other administrative services to the public.

 

Purpose of Notarisation

Authorising documents via his or her unique official seal and signature, which is registered with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT). So as to make them acceptable to judicial or other public authorities in the foreign country or jurisdiction in which they will be used. 

 

Uniqueness of Notary Public

Notary Public is authorised by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade to issue authentication certificates to prove that signatures and seals of Notaries Public when documents are going to be used in a foreign country.

 

Notary Public differ from a Justice of the Peace because 

of this international power of authority for certifying and attesting documents intended for use anywhere in the world.