What is a Notary Public in NSW?
A Notary Public, Public Notary, and Notary are various descriptions of the same profession. In NSW, A Notary Public is a practising solicitor (with a minimum of five(5) years practising experience),
who is appointed for life by the NSW Supreme Court, and given statutory
powers to witness documents, administer oaths, and perform other
wide-ranging administrative functions of a national and international
nature.
A Notary Public not only takes oaths, signs and
witnesses documents for use within Australia, but also performs similar
functions in respect of international documents.
Justices
of the Peace (JPs) in Australia provide services similar to American
notaries, but are not permitted to witness documents for use in foreign
countries. Notaries Public have this exclusive right and are the only true
international "JP" in Australia.
Notaries Public affix
their official seal (usually impressed onto a red sticker) or stamp, to
documents immediately under, adjacent or as near as possible to their
signatures.
All Notaries' seals and signatures are
officially recorded in a data base held the Department of Foreign
Affairs and Trade (DFAT), a government department authorised to issue
Apostille or Authentication Certificates authenticating the signatures,
seals or stamps of Notaries on Australian public documents.
In NSW, Public
Notaries are required to have their signatures, seals or stamps registered with the Supreme Court and it is also recommended to have their signatures, seals or stamps registered with the Society of Notaries NSW Inc.
What does a Notary Public actually do?
A Notary Public principally:
- Attests documents and certifies their due execution for use in Australia and overseas countries
- Prepares
and certifies powers of attorney, wills, deeds, contracts and other
legal documents, for use in Australia and overseas countries
- Administers oaths for Australian and international documents
- Witness
signatures to affidavits, statutory declarations, powers of attorney,
contracts, and other documents, for use in Australia and overseas
countries
- Verifies documents for use in Australia and overseas countries
- Certifies copy documents for use in Australia and overseas countries
- Exemplifies official documents for use internationally
- Notes and protests bills of exchange
- Prepares ships' protests
What costs are charged for services?
In NSW, there is a recommended scale of fees for services performed. Usually,
Adam Stack & Co charges in accordance with this scale, the link for which is below, although you should contact our office to confirm charges prior to making an appointment.
Apostille and Legalising Service ("ALS")
Through our extensive professional network, Adam Stack & Co is able to provide to clients, for an additional fee, an Apostille and Legalising Service, including obtaining certified translations, Apostille(s) from DFAT and arranging legalising of documents from the relevant embassy or consulate. Clients are able to provide the documents to our office and we arrange the whole service as a "one stop shop" saving time and hassles. This service can be offered as an express service if urgency exists.
For the convenience of our clients, we can visit your home or place of business by prior arrangement.
Clients on the north shore of Sydney can also attend the offices of Roy Stack at Cammeray. Please telephone (02) 99222351 should you wish to make an appointment at Roy's office.
Arrange a consultation with a Notary Public.
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