A Notary Public (sometimes called a notary or a public notary) in New Zealand is a lawyer authorised to officially witness signatures on legal documents, collect sworn statements, administer oaths, and certify the authenticity of legal documents for use overseas. By international convention and law, a Notary's signature and official seal are recognised in other countries worldwide.
For documents requiring execution, the Notary will verify your identity and witness your signature in person.
For documents not requiring a signature, the Notary must inspect the original document or verify its authenticity directly with the issuing authority or institution.
In many cases, the Notary’s signature and seal are sufficient. In other instances, the overseas recipient may require official confirmation of the Notary’s authority. This is provided by New Zealand's Competent Authority (the Authentication Unit of the Department of Internal Affairs) through an Apostille Certificate. See Apostille for more information.
An Apostille is a formal certificate attached to the document confirming that the Notary is a registered New Zealand Notary Public.
For non-Hague Convention countries, an additional Authentication process is required, where the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) and the destination country's embassy or consulate certify the document. See Authentication for more information.
Having practiced as a Notary Public since 1978, my extensive experience ensures practical guidance on what will be required, and I can assist with every step of the process.
