What does a Notary Public do?

notary public

A Notary Public is a lawyer who performs similar tasks to a Justice of the Peace, such as taking oaths, witnessing signatures and certifying documents but, unlike a JP, a Notary Public seal/signature is also recognised overseas.

If you need a document witnessed or certified for an overseas transaction, you will need a Notary Public, not a JP.

ESR Notary Public services include:

  • Certifying copied documents for use in Australia and overseas.
  • Verifying documents for use in Australia and overseas.
  • Administering affidavits or declarations and certifying these documents for use in Australia and overseas.
  • Certifying the due execution of contracts, powers of attorney, wills, deeds, and other legal documents for use in Australia and overseas.
  • Witnessing signatures to affidavits, statutory declarations, contracts, deeds, powers of attorney and other documents, for use in Australia and overseas.

Please note that a Notary Public cannot provide legalization or apostille services. Documents that require legalization or apostilles need to be stamped after being notarized by me to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade or the relevant Consulate/Embassy.