While remote notarisation and online notarisation have gained attention in New South Wales, there's a crucial distinction between general remote witnessing and notarial services that must be understood.
The Electronic Transactions Amendment (Remote Witnessing) Act 2021 made permanent the arrangements for remote witnessing of legal documents that were originally introduced as COVID-19 emergency provisions. However, it's essential to understand that this legislation does not extend to notarial services.
Notaries are currently not permitted to remotely witness and notarise documents. This limitation exists because of the notary's fundamental duty to prevent fraud, which requires in-person verification and authentication.
The restrictions on remote notarisation stem from several critical factors:
While notarial services require in-person attendance, other documents can be witnessed remotely under the Act, including:
For non-notarial remote witnessing, the law requires:
While technology continues to evolve, current notarial practice maintains traditional requirements:
When requiring notarial services:
For detailed information about document witnessing and notarial requirements, refer to:
No, notarial services currently require in-person attendance due to fraud prevention requirements and international recognition standards.
Remote witnessing is permitted for certain documents under NSW law, but notarial services specifically require in-person attendance due to their unique legal status and fraud prevention requirements.
Notaries have additional obligations including fraud prevention and international document authentication that require in-person verification.
This guide reflects current legal requirements and notarial practice in NSW. While remote witnessing capabilities have expanded for certain documents, notarial services maintain traditional in-person requirements to ensure document integrity and international recognition.
Quick Answer: NSW notary services are not free and are exclusively used for international transactions. Professional NSW notary services fees range from $220 to $715+ (including GST) per document, based on the official Society of Notaries NSW recommended fee scale effective February 2025.
NSW notary services provide essential authentication for documents intended for international use only. Unlike domestic document witnessing handled by justices of the peace, NSW notary services specialise exclusively in preparing Australian documents for overseas recognition, making them indispensable for international business, immigration, education, and legal matters.
NSW notary services involve qualified legal practitioners who authenticate documents specifically for international recognition. These services are required because foreign governments, institutions, and courts need official verification that Australian documents are genuine and legally valid. NSW notary services cannot be used for domestic Australian purposes - they exist solely to facilitate international document acceptance.
The Society of Notaries NSW publishes an official recommended fee scale under the Public Notaries Act 1997, which sets minimum fees for all NSW notary services. All notary public services set fees according to the price guideline recommended by the Society of Notaries of New South Wales.
Affidavits and Sworn Declarations NSW notary services for affidavits, affirmations, and declarations cost $220 (including GST) for the first person, with each additional person signing the same document at the same time charged $99. This covers identifying the person, administering oaths, and completing notarial documentation.
Copy Document Verification Notarial certificates verifying copy documents cost $275 (including GST) for documents up to 5 pages, with each additional page charged $16.50. This includes reviewing original documents, preparing notarial certificates, and binding certificates to copy documents for international recognition.
Power of Attorney Authentication NSW notary services for individual power of attorney verification cost $302.50 (including GST), covering person identification, notarial certificate preparation, and binding to the power of attorney document.
Australian Academic Credentials Authenticating Australian academic documents costs $302.50 (including GST), including verification with educational institutions and preparing notarial certificates for international recognition. This service is essential for overseas education, employment, or professional registration.
Company Documentation Corporate NSW notary services are charged at $715 per hour (including GST) for complex matters. Specific corporate services include:
Apostille Coordination NSW notary services charge $220 (including GST) for preparing and submitting apostille applications to DFAT, plus government fees. This service is essential for documents intended for countries party to the Hague Apostille Convention.
Consular Legalisation For non-Hague countries requiring consular authentication, NSW notary services charge $715+ per hour (including GST) plus embassy fees. This complex process involves multiple authentication stages for international recognition.
The recommended fee scale notes that notaries should consider individual circumstances, time involved, and work performed when applying fees. Complex international requirements may justify hourly rates rather than fixed document fees.
When multiple or complex documents are involved, NSW notary services may apply hourly rates of $715 (including GST) rather than per-document charges. This approach often provides better value for comprehensive international document packages.
All out-of-pocket expenses including ASIC searches, postage, and courier fees are payable in addition to notary fees. International document authentication often involves multiple third-party costs beyond the notary's professional fees.
NSW notary services are provided by Supreme Court-appointed legal practitioners with specialised international authentication expertise. This professional qualification ensures documents meet stringent international recognition standards.
Properly executed NSW notary services provide documents with international legal validity, preventing costly rejection by overseas authorities, courts, or institutions.
Many NSW notary services coordinate the entire international authentication process, including apostille applications, consular submissions, and international delivery arrangements.
Ensure your chosen practitioner holds current NSW Supreme Court appointment as a notary public. The Society of Notaries NSW assists members with notarial practice and upholds professional standards.
Some NSW notary services offer fixed fees per document that may be more economical than recommended rates, while others specialise in specific international jurisdictions or document types.
Sydney CBD offers the largest concentration of NSW notary services, while regional practitioners may provide more personalised service and flexible scheduling for international document authentication.
Before committing to NSW notary services for international documents:
Organise all required supporting documents, identification, and background information before your appointment. Thorough preparation reduces consultation time and minimises additional hourly charges.
Research your destination country's specific authentication requirements. Some jurisdictions have unique formatting or certification requirements that affect both processing time and costs.
If you have multiple documents for the same international purpose, discuss package pricing or volume discounts. Many NSW notary services provide more competitive rates for comprehensive document sets.
Immigration applications, international court proceedings, or business registration deadlines often require premium NSW notary services with expedited processing capabilities.
International property purchases, business acquisitions, or major commercial agreements justify investing in experienced NSW notary services with proven track records in complex international matters.
Documents intended for use across multiple countries require sophisticated NSW notary services expertise to ensure compliance with varying international authentication standards.
While NSW notary services involve significant professional fees, the investment ensures Australian documents achieve international recognition. Attempting to use unqualified providers or incorrect authentication procedures often results in document rejection, costly delays, and missed international opportunities far exceeding proper notary costs.
Educational and Professional Recognition Success Australian qualifications and certifications require proper international authentication through NSW notary services to gain recognition from overseas educational institutions, professional bodies, and employers.
Immigration Application Confidence Properly authenticated documents significantly improve immigration application success rates by meeting strict international verification standards required by overseas authorities.
International Business Credibility Commercial partners, foreign courts, and international institutions require properly authenticated documents. NSW notary services provide the credibility necessary for successful international business relationships.
Final Recommendation: Contact qualified NSW notary services practitioners for direct quotes specific to your individual international document needs. Compare practitioners based on expertise, processing capabilities, and comprehensive service offerings while understanding that professional fees reflect the specialised legal expertise required for successful international document authentication.
A Notary Public can certify and authenticate a comprehensive range of legal and commercial documents for both domestic and international use. The most commonly certified documents include:
A certified copy is an exact reproduction of an original document that has been officially verified as a true and accurate copy by an authorised person, such as a Notary Public. The notary examines the original document, compares it to the copy, and then stamps and signs the copy to confirm its authenticity. This certification makes the copy legally acceptable for official purposes.
