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When the Stamp Has To Travel, You Need the Right Notary Public.
A letter from our notary public and director
If you’re here, it’s probably because someone told you to be.
A consulate. A lawyer. A bank overseas.
They’ve said:
“Get this notarised.”
Now you’re holding a document, and a quiet question:
“Am I doing this right?”
We hear that a lot.
Not from people who are unsure,
But from people who want to be certain it won’t get sent back.
We’ve been public notaries for over 20 years.
We’ve seen what holds up and what doesn’t.
What gets through and what gets sent back.
That experience is why we’re here.
To notarise the document in front of you
And make sure it stands up wherever it’s going.
Sincerely,
Barry Lazarus
Public Notary, Lazarus Legal
Lazarus Legal provides notary public services for situations where a signature isn’t enough.
When the document crosses borders, enters systems, or heads to someone who won’t accept it without the proper process. That’s when the notary public stamp and seal become the difference between “signed” and “recognised.”
We don’t fill forms or draft clauses.
We witness, certify, and seal what’s written, so no one questions where it came from or how it was done.
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.
Certification 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.
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.
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.
Certification 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.
Does Your Document Need More Than a Notary Public?
For many documents, a notary public stamp is all that’s needed. But when a document is headed overseas, some countries ask for more. Depending on where it’s going, you might need to add a certificate from Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade or go through further checks with a consulate. We’ll advise you on what applies in your case, and ensure the document is prepared properly for where it’s going next.
Apostille
Some countries will accept your notarised document only after it’s been confirmed by Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. This confirmation is called an apostille, a certificate that verifies your notary public’s credentials and confirms the document is properly executed for international use.
We handle the first step: notarising the document correctly, applying the official notary public stamp and seal, and including the required notarial certificate. From there, the document can be submitted to DFAT for an apostille. If you’re unsure whether the receiving country requires one, we’ll advise you clearly, so you know what to request and why.
Legalisation
In some cases, an apostille isn’t enough. For countries that don’t recognise the apostille system, your notarised document must be certified by DFAT and verified by the destination country’s embassy or consulate in Australia. This is known as legalisation.
Our role as notaries is to make sure the document is properly prepared for that chain of recognition: signed, sealed, and formatted in a way that satisfies both DFAT and the embassy involved. We’ll let you know if legalisation is required, and help you avoid common issues that cause delays, so everything moves smoothly from one authority to the next.
- What happens after the Stamp?
We help you prepare for wherever the document’s going next.
What You’re Probably Wondering...
What is a notary of the public?
The phrase “notary of the public” is a common way people refer to a notary public. While it is not technically correct, it reflects a reasonable attempt to describe the role. The proper term is “notary public,” which comes from the historical title of a public officer authorised to perform specific legal functions. The meaning, however, remains understood in either case.
A notary public is a qualified legal practitioner who has been formally appointed to witness signatures, certify documents, and verify identities. Their primary role is to ensure that a document carries legal weight beyond the room it was signed. In Australia, notaries are often called upon when documents need to be accepted overseas, whether for property matters, business transactions, court documents, or immigration purposes.
What makes a notary public unique is that their signature and seal are officially recognised under international law. This allows documents they handle to be accepted in other jurisdictions without further verification. In this way, a notary public serves as a bridge between legal systems, helping your documents be trusted where it matters most.
Is a JP a Notary Public in Australia?
No, a Justice of the Peace (JP) is not the same as a Notary Public. While both can witness signatures and certify copies of documents, their roles differ in scope and recognition.
A JP is a volunteer appointed at the state level, primarily for domestic use. Their powers are limited to documents used within Australia and do not extend to international matters.
A Notary Public is a senior legal practitioner appointed by the Supreme Court. Their authority includes witnessing, certifying, and preparing documents for use overseas. A Notary’s signature and seal are recognised internationally, making them essential for cross-border transactions and legal processes.
Is Notary Public Free in Australia?
No, notary public services are not free in Australia. Unlike a Justice of the Peace (JP), who performs basic witnessing duties at no cost, a notary public is a qualified legal practitioner offering a paid professional service, typically for documents that need to be recognised outside Australia.
There is no regulated or capped fee for notarial work, but professional bodies such as the Society of Notaries of New South Wales publish indicative guidelines. Based on these, you can expect to pay around $90 to $150 for a simple notarisation, such as witnessing a signature or certifying a single-page document. Additional pages, document complexity, or the need for a formal notarial certificate may increase the fee, often ranging from $150 to $300 or more. Urgent matters or off-site appointments may also attract extra charges.
Why Do Signatures Need to Be Notarised?
Signatures are notarised to confirm that they were made voluntarily, knowingly, and in the presence of an authorised legal witness. When a notary public certifies a signature, they are verifying the identity of the person signing and that the person understood the contents of the document at the time.
This step protects all parties involved, especially when the document is used in legal, financial, or international matters. It helps prevent fraud, disputes, or claims that the signature was made under duress or without proper consent.
In many cases, particularly when documents are being sent overseas, notarisation is not just preferred but required. Foreign courts, banks, and government departments often will not accept a signature unless it has been formally witnessed by a notary public. It is not simply about the signature itself, but the legal weight and international recognition that notarisation provides.
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