A definition:   ".... a notary is a practising lawyer who holds a unique public office of trust and fidelity, and who, among other things, has the internationally recognised power and authority to prepare certicates of Australian law, and deeds and other instruments of all kinds, authenticated by his or her signature and official seal in a manner which renders them acceptable to the judical or other public authorities in the countries in which they are produced."   

p37 Principles of Notarial Practice, Peter Zablud, Notary Public 2005 - Psophidian Press. 

In most cases following a Notarial act (see Notary Services) your document/s will have to be either legalised or you will need to obtain an Apostille (French for Certificate) in order for the documents to have full legal effect in the country they are to be accepted in.

Apostilles

The Hague Convention of 5 October 1961 Abolishing the Requirement of Legalisation for Foreign Public Documents (Hague Apostille Convention) facilitates the circulation of public documents executed in a member State to the Convention and to be produced in another member State to the Convention. The Convention does so by replacing the cumbersome and often costly formalities of a full legalisation process with the issue of an Apostille (also called Apostille Certificate or Certificate). The Hague Apostille Convention only applies as between States who are parties to the Convention.

Click here to view the official format of an Apostille Certificate.

Legalisation

Where a country is not a member of the Convention an Authentication will have to be obtained from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Australian Embassies, High Commissions, Consulates and/or Consulate-General’s offices.  You should make enquiries with the country where the document is to be used to ascertain the steps involved in legalisation for that particular country. 

We can give you advice in that regard.  

 See more about our Notary Services and Fees, and the History of Notaries