Notary FAQs

In the context of New Zealand, a notary public is a lawyer who holds authorization from the Archbishop of Canterbury. Their role encompasses overseeing the formal signing of legal documents, validating duplicates of legal papers, collecting legally sworn statements, and facilitating oath-taking processes, particularly for documents intended for use abroad.

In practical terms, a notary public in New Zealand assumes a position of significant trust and accountability. The authority they possess, granted by the Archbishop of Canterbury, extends to preserving the integrity of legal documents, enhancing the credibility of duplicated papers, and ensuring the accurate execution of legally binding statements and oaths. By bridging the divide between domestic and international legal prerequisites, notaries public play a substantial role in advancing the global interconnectedness of legal procedures and transactions.

Yes bookings do need to be made. bookings can be made here.

Witnessing Signatures on Documents:

When you have a document that requires both signing and witnessing in New Zealand for use abroad, there's a specific procedure to follow. Ensure the document is fully completed except for your signature. You'll sign the document in my presence, after which I will oversee and complete the witnessing process. I will attach my notarial certificate and official seal to the document.

Please note that I don't create these documents because each country's requirements can differ. If you're uncertain about the document's format or content, it's essential to confirm with the authorities in the relevant foreign country before your appointment.

For identification purposes, bring an original form of photographic ID, preferably your passport. In some cases, I may also need proof of your residential address, which is typically provided through an original utility bill.

Certifying Copies of Documents:

When certifying copies, I need to see the original document and verify that the copy I'm certifying accurately matches the original. It's often simpler for me to make the copies myself rather than compare copies you've made.

In certain situations, I might need to ensure the validity of the original document. This could involve contacting the issuing party for confirmation.

The cost for notarizing your documents is as follows: $200.00 for the first document and an additional $40.00 for each subsequent document or copy.

Please be aware that variations in cost might occur in situations where there is a considerable number of documents or if the time needed for document processing is unusually extensive. Instances like documents with numerous pages requiring initials, signatures, or copies may influence the fee.

Payments can be made in either cash or bank transfer. However, please note that we are unable to accept payments via EFTPOS.

Please contact us here and our team will get back to you as soon a possible.