Services Provided


A Notary Public (also known as a Notary) is an officer of the law, responsible for certifying and attesting documents intended for use anywhere in the world. Some transactions or contracts require documentation to be notarised by a Notary Public when the document will be used in another country. Below are the services provided by our Members.

Notarial Services

  • Notarisation of International Documents

    Notarisation [by public/authentic or private notarial act] of any Document by a Notary Public where the document is required to be sent overseas.

  • Certification of Copies of Documents

    Such as Passports, Educational Qualifications and Birth, Death and Marriage certificates.

  • Notarisation of Company & Trade Mark Documents

    Various Corporate and trademark certificates can be provided by a Notary Public.

  • Affidavits & Declarations

    For overseas Court Cases, Estate matters, Wills and Probate and litigation in overseas countries anywhere in the world

  • Official Government Documents

    Notarisation of any document for an overseas government department or institution.

  • Apostilles & Legalisation from DFAT

    A Notary Public can advise you about the requirements for an Apostille or Legalisation for a document and how to obtain this from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade [DFAT].

  • Embassies & Consulates

    A Notary Public can assist where acts require Embassy or Consular legalisation or certification.

  • Consent to Travel Documents

    Drafting and Notarisation of Consent to Travel Document (for when a child is travelling without one or both parents).

Other Services


The following is a non-exhaustive list of the types of documents requiring a notary for OVERSEAS countries as opposed to a solicitor, Justice of the Peace or other official witness:

  1. Foreign language and translation documents

  2. Powers of Attorney, Proxies and Authorities

  3. Administrative documents

  4. Conveyancing, Real property, Personal property, Lease and Mortgage instruments

  5. Certificates as to Australian law

  6. Certificates as to foreign law

  7. Ship’s protests

  8. Bills of exchange

  9. Wills, Succession and Trust documents

  10. Intellectual property trade marks, designs and patents

  11. Company documents

Cost of Services

The Society does have a recommended Scale of Fees (this is a PDF link). However, Notaries are free to set their own fees, as the Society does not control fees that Notaries may charge.

Because Notaries are practising Lawyers, their fees must be fair and reasonable in the circumstances of each case. (Note that a Justice of the Peace is not entitled to charge any fee for service.)

For enquiries about actual set fees, and costs for other services, contact your nearest Notary.

People-First Approach

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Reliability You Can Count On

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A Focus on Quality

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People-First Approach · Reliability You Can Count On · A Focus on Quality ·

Preparing for a meeting with a Notary Public

It’s important to be prepared when meeting with a Notary Public.
What should you take to the appointment? Below is a useful checklist of important items to consider prior to your appointment.

  • First, do not expect to meet with a Notary without making an appointment.

  • The Notary may be able to give you, over the telephone, an idea of the fee to be charged, but until the Notary sees the document/s and matter in hand, it is often not possible to quote accurately.

  • Email the Notary (and take with you) the instructions and documents you may have received from overseas so that the Notary can try to ensure that your requirements for overseas are satisfied at the first visit.

  • If you require a certified copy of an original document, you must bring with you the original and the Notary will copy it to ensure it is an exact replica.

  • Ensure you have your papers in order, prepared and ready to sign. It is not the Notary’s function to complete your document, things like full name and address should be attended to beforehand. However, refrain from actually signing the document until you meet with your Notary who must physically witness your signature.

  • The Notary will need to be satisfied that you understand the document you are signing – if you do not understand the contents, you may need legal advice, either obtained first before the visit, or ask the Notary to provide this.

  • If you are able to send a copy of the required document to the Notary before your visit this will save time and probably expense

Foreign Language Support

All members of The Society can utilise external foreign language translation services as and when required.

However, the following Notaries provide spoken/written internal expertise in the specific foreign languages listed.


Far North Queensland

O’Reilly Stevens Lawyers Chinese – Mandarin (Spoken and Written)

Level 1/ 59 Spence Street, Cairns

Apels Solicitors and Notary Afrikaans (Spoken and Written)

Level 1/ 59 Spence Street, Cairns

Brisbane City

C&C Legal Korean (Spoken and Written)

Level 36, 71 Eagle St, Brisbane

MHL Legal & Notary Chinese (Spoken and Written)

Level 1, 150 Charlotte Street, Brisbane

Brisbane South

WF YAU Lawyers & Notary Pty Ltd Chinese – Mandarin and Cantonese (Spoken and Written)

Block B, Suite 17, 3 Zamia Street Sunnybank

Stokes Lawyers Japanese (Spoken)

Unit 13, Portal East 2996 Logan Road Underwood

Tim O’Dwyer German (Spoken and Written)

3 Dianella Street Sunnybank

Leo Cruise Chinese – Mandarin (Spoken and Written)

489 Beenleigh Rd, Sunnybank