Sydney Notary Public
We authenticate documents, certify copies, and prepare statutory declarations for international use before foreign authorities reject paperwork or processing delays hold up your transaction.
We document authentication, apostille services, and certification for international use before foreign authorities reject paperwork or processing delays hold up your transaction.
Bondi Junction-based, serving Sydney and all of Australia.
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500+
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$10M +
With over $10 million recovered, our clients move forward with renewed clarity, free from delays, distractions, and the weight of unresolved matters.
2,000 +
We’ve helped over 2,000 companies scale, advising on the deals, hires, and legal frameworks behind expansion, funding, and ownership.
40 Years
With 40 years of experience, we’ve all seen the challenges you’re facing. We’ll help you avoid the mistakes others have made.
When Do You Need Notary Public Services?
A notary public witnesses signatures, certifies documents, and applies formal authentication so your paperwork is recognised by foreign governments, courts, and institutions. You’ll know you need one when someone overseas asks for it, or when standard witnessing won’t meet the requirements of the country your documents are headed to. Our notary public Sydney office commonly assists with the following scenarios:
A notary public witnesses signatures, certifies documents, and applies formal authentication so your paperwork is recognised by foreign governments, courts, and institutions. You’ll know you need one when someone overseas asks for it, or when standard witnessing won’t meet the requirements of the country your documents are headed to. These scenarios typically include the following.
Your documents are headed to another country for property or business
A foreign authority wants certified copies of Australian documents
You're dealing with powers of attorney or legal declarations for overseas use
Immigration or visa applications require notarised supporting documents
The Legal Team Authenticating Your Documents
Mark Lazarus leads our notary public Sydney practice after decades handling commercial matters and international documentation. We’ve notarised over 1,000 documents in the last three years for clients dealing with property transactions in 47 countries, immigration applications, business registrations, and court proceedings overseas. We’ve handled apostille requirements for Hague Convention countries, consular authentication for non-convention jurisdictions, and urgent notarisations for documents needed within 24 hours.
Why You Need Proper Notarial Certification
Our notary public Sydney team doesn’t just stamp documents and hope they work. We verify which type of notarial certificate your receiving country requires, whether your document needs an apostille from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and whether additional consular authentication applies based on the destination jurisdiction.
Every notarisation includes identity verification using current government ID, proper witnessing protocols that meet international standards, and the correct notarial certificate format that prevents rejection by foreign authorities or delays at their processing stage.
What to Expect From Our Notary Public Services
Getting something notarised can feel straightforward until you’re holding the document and wondering what’s next. Here’s what we’ll do together, so it’s signed, sealed, and ready to be recognised wherever it needs to go.
Identity Verification
We’ll begin by confirming your identity. Please bring a current passport, driver licence, or other government-issued photo ID. If you're unsure what qualifies, just ask; we’re happy to guide you before your appointment.
Notary Public Stamp & Seal
We’ll apply the official notary public stamp and seal, along with the correct certificate, whether we’re witnessing a signature, certifying a copy, or attesting to a fact.
Witnessing of Signatures or Oaths
If your document requires it, we’ll witness the signature or declaration in person, making sure it’s signed in the right way, at the right time, by the right person.
Certifiication
of Copies
If you need copies of an original certified, bring both the original and a clear photocopy. We’ll review and certify the copy as true and correct, ready for use with banks, universities, or official agencies.
Advice on
Overseas Use
If the document needs to be used internationally, we’ll let you know whether it also requires an apostille or legalisation. If it does, we’ll explain how that process works and what your next steps are.
Notarial Register
Entry
Every act we carry out is recorded in our notarial register. If someone ever needs to confirm the notarisation later, there’s a formal record to refer to.
After searching Bondi Junction for a lawyer to certify documents to no avail ,eventually I came across Lazarus Legal and without an appointment was welcomed by Mark Lazarus who signed the documentation for me, I highly recommend Lazarus Legal for the outstanding attention given to me.
Mark was efficient, professional and conducted everything in such a timely manner with excellent attention to detail. I was very new to the world of small business legalities and he was patient and took the time to take me through all the finer details to ensure it was clear and I was comfortable. I would highly recommend him!
A team that really feels like they’re on your side and want to help. Great expertise.
- Documents crossing borders?
Get Them Notarised Properly
Notary Public Questions Answered
What's the difference between a notary public and a Justice of the Peace?
A Justice of the Peace can witness signatures and certify copies for domestic Australian use. A notary public holds statutory appointment from the NSW Supreme Court and provides authentication recognised under international law for documents headed overseas. Foreign governments, courts, and institutions typically won’t accept JP certification. They require the notary public stamp and seal because it carries formal recognition across jurisdictions. If your document is staying in Australia, a JP usually works. If it’s leaving the country, you need a notary public.
Do I need to bring original documents to get them notarised?
Yes. We can’t notarise documents that have already been signed elsewhere or copies without seeing originals. You must bring the unsigned document, sign it in our presence, and provide current government-issued photo ID like your passport or driver licence. For certified copies, you bring the original document so we can verify it matches the copy we’re certifying. The notarial act requires us to witness the signing or verify the document authenticity directly. Anything signed before you arrive can’t be properly notarised according to NSW notary public standards.
What types of documents typically require notarisation?
Powers of attorney and estate planning documents often need notarisation when they’re being used overseas or involve foreign assets. Our wills and estates lawyers can draft these documents before notarisation. International business agreements, shareholder resolutions, and statutory declarations for foreign company registrations regularly require notarial certification. Startup founders expanding internationally and commercial businesses entering cross-border transactions typically need multiple documents notarised during the process. Immigration applications, property transfers, academic credentials, and court affidavits for use in other countries also fall under documents requiring a notary public stamp.
How long does the notary public process take?
Standard notarisations take 15 to 30 minutes once you’re in our office with proper ID and documents. We verify your identity, witness your signature, apply the notary public stamp and seal, and attach the required notarial certificate. If your document needs an apostille from DFAT, add another 5 to 10 business days for their processing unless you pay for express service. Consular authentication timelines vary by embassy and can take weeks. We handle urgent matters within 24 hours when timing is critical.
What's an apostille and does my notarised document need one?
An apostille is a certificate issued by Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade that verifies your notary public’s credentials and confirms proper document execution. Countries that signed the Hague Convention accept apostilles instead of lengthy consular authentication. If your document is going to the UK, USA, most European countries, or other convention members, you’ll need the apostille after we notarise it. Non-convention countries like China, UAE, and some Middle Eastern nations require consular authentication from their embassy instead. We’ll tell you which applies to your situation.