Notary Public

A notary public is an officer who can administer oaths and statutory declarations, witness and authenticate documents and perform certain other acts varying from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. For the purposes of authentication, most countries require commercial or personal documents which originate from or signed in another country to be notarised before they can be officially used, recorded or have any legal effect.

A notary acts as an impartial witness to authenticate and certify the execution of documents required or intended for use outside the country.

Further authentication in the form of an apostille from the Consular Section, Department of Foreign Affairs or applicable consulate may be necessary.

The signature and seal of a notary is recognised as evidence of a responsible legal officer in most countries.

The duty and function of a notary is to prepare, attest, authenticate and certify deeds and other documents, for use anywhere in the world. His signature and official seal renders them acceptable, as proof of the matter attested by him, to the judicial or other public authorities in the country where they are to be used.