Notary Public

What is a Notary Public

A Notary Public is generally a legal practitioner, whose primary duty is to authenticate documents for use abroad, to protest bills of exchange when dishonoured, to authenticate shipping protests and to witness or prepare legal documents, such as powers of attorney, which are intended to be used overseas. A Notary Public may also have authority according to the law of other countries, to swear affidavits for use in foreign courts.

Generally, a document executed or sworn before a Notary Public will be recognised by a Commonwealth court, without further proof. Other countries may well require the authorisation of the notary to be authenticated by the Consulate of that Country, or by the authentications unit of the Department of Internal Affairs or even also the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

It is wise to check with the appropriate authority of a foreign country, what further procedures (if any) are required, other than the witnessing and authentication by the Notary Public.