What is a Public Notary in NSW?

A Public Notary, Notary Public, and Notary are various descriptions of the same profession.  In NSW, a  Public Notary is a highly experienced practising Solicitor, who is appointed for life by the NSW Supreme Court, and given statutory powers to witness documents, administer oaths, and perform other wide-ranging notarial functions of a national and international nature.

Our Public Notary Ellen Pei was appointed by the Honourable Justice Beech-Jones, Chief Judge at Common Law in the Supreme Court of New South Wales under the Public Notaries Act 1997 (NSW).  As a member of the Society of Notaries of New South Wales and a follow of the Australian and New Zealand College of Notaries, Ellen is dedicated to best notarial practice and is committed to delivering the highest standard of notarial services to individuals and businesses across New South Wales. Call Ellen on 02 7233 0988 (option 2) or 1300 559 888 to make an appointment if you require Notary Public services.

All Public Notaries’ seals and signatures are officially recorded in a data base held by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).

What does a Public Notary actually do?

A Public Notary principally:

• Administers oaths for Australian and international documents
• Attests documents and certifies their due execution for use in Australia and overseas countries
• Authenticates documents for use in Australia and overseas countries
• Certifies and notarises official, government, private and corporate documents for use overseas
• Prepares and certifies powers of attorney, wills, deeds, contracts and other legal documents, for use in Australia and overseas countries
• Witnesses signatures to affidavits, statutory declarations, powers of attorney, contracts, and other documents, for use in Australia and overseas countries

A notarial act is a legal act authorised  and performed by the Public Notary. Public Notaries affix their official seal (impressed onto a red sticker), to documents immediately under or adjacent to their signatures. Once a document is notarised, it becomes a public document.

Notarisation, Apostille, Authentication and Legalisation in Australia for documents used overseas

Before your notarised documents can be used overseas, the authentication /legalisation/ Apostille process with DFAT (a government department authorised to issue Apostille or Authentication Certificates authenticating the signatures, seals or stamps of Notaries on Australian public documents) is usually required.

In addition to notarial services, Genesis Edge is able to provide to our clients, for an additional fee, an Apostille and legalisation service, including obtaining certified translations, Apostille(s) from DFAT and acting on your behalf and arranging legalisation of documents from the relevant embassy or consulate.  Subject to your instructions, you may provide the relevant documents to our office, and we will take care of the entire process and provide you with a one stop shop service for your peace of mind.

If you require urgent Notary Public services, please check our Public Notary’s availability and book an urgent appointment online or telephone our office on 02 7233 0988 (option 2) or 1300 559 888. 

Clients in the state of New South Wales are welcome to attend our Sydney CBD office.  Please telephone 02 7233 0988 (option 2) or 1300 559 888 should you wish to make an appointment. 

Our Public Notary may consider travelling to you so long as you are in New South Wales, at your cost by prior arrangement.

Make an appointment with our Public Notary.