Suspension of Apostille Services for 2017

Due to office closures over the Christmas and New Year period, we will be suspending our Apostille services from 1 December 2017. Apostille services will resume from 15 January 2018.

We will still be providing notary public services until 22 December 2017.

If you wish to obtain an apostille during this period, you will need to make your own enquiries with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) - however be aware that DFAT has traditionally been closed during the Christmas and New Year period or be short staffed. You should expect and plan for delays.

To obtain a quote on our notary public services for India, please visit https://www.notary-parramatta.com.au/notary-fees/.

Acknowledgements

This blog is supported and maintained by Phang Legal. Phang Legal is a leading provider of notary public services in Sydney. With offices conveniently located in Parramatta, Phang Legal supports and services the Indian community across Sydney with readily available and easily accessible notary public services at highly competitive rates.

For more information regarding notary public services for documents going to India, view our notary publications at https://www.notary-parramatta.com.au/jurisdiction/india-notary/.

Frequently asked questions regarding our notary public services can also be found at https://www.notary-parramatta.com.au/faqs/.

For Hindi to English translation services by NAATI accredited translators, see https://hindi-naati-translation.blogspot.com.au/.

Ern Phang
Notary Public

Ern Phang is the solicitor director of Phang Legal and a notary public. Ern regularly writes about his experiences as a notary public, including the kinds of problems and solutions that his clients face when sending documents to India.

IMPORTANT: the information in this article is correct at the time of publication, however the law constantly changes. This means you should always refer to the most recent articles because we try to update this blog on a regular basis with the most current information.

Indian Drivers Licence Verification in Victoria

From Monday, 23 October 2017, VicRoads will no longer require people to go through the Indian Drivers Licence Verification (IDLV) process with VFS to convert their Indian Driving Licence to a Victorian drivers licence.

See this link for more information.
https://www.sbs.com.au/yourlanguage/punjabi/en/article/2017/10/23/vicroads-introduces-new-process-conversion-indian-driver-licences


However, this only applies in Victoria. If you live in NSW and you want to convert your Indian Drivers Licence to a NSW drivers licence through RMS, you will still need to complete IDLV process through VFS.

As part of the IDLV process, if your name on your Indian Drivers Licence is different to your name on your Indian Passport, you will need our notary public to verify that you are the one and the same person. We can also help you to obtain an apostille from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Review the IDLV Checklist from VFS for more information.
http://www.vfsglobal.com/india/australia/consular_miscellaneous/pdf/IDLV-Checklist.pdf

To obtain a quote on our notary public services for India, please visit https://www.notary-parramatta.com.au/notary-fees/.

Acknowledgements

This blog is supported and maintained by Phang Legal. Phang Legal is a leading provider of notary public services in Sydney. With offices conveniently located in Parramatta, Phang Legal supports and services the Indian community across Sydney with readily available and easily accessible notary public services at highly competitive rates.

For more information regarding notary public services for documents going to India, view our notary publications at https://www.notary-parramatta.com.au/jurisdiction/india-notary/.

Frequently asked questions regarding our notary public services can also be found at https://www.notary-parramatta.com.au/faqs/.

For Hindi to English translation services by NAATI accredited translators, see https://hindi-naati-translation.blogspot.com.au/.

Ern Phang
Notary Public

Ern Phang is the solicitor director of Phang Legal and a notary public. Ern regularly writes about his experiences as a notary public, including the kinds of problems and solutions that his clients face when sending documents to India.

IMPORTANT: the information in this article is correct at the time of publication, however the law constantly changes. This means you should always refer to the most recent articles because we try to update this blog on a regular basis with the most current information.

Best advice for Indian Citizens living in Australia

Get your identification sorted!

As a leading provider of notary public services in Sydney, we're constantly providing assistance to members of the Indian community living in Australia. After decades of experience, there's one piece of advice which we think is the best advice - for Indians living here as permanent residents - and that is to get your local identification sorted. Apply for and obtain an Australian government photocard or photograph identification, or convert your Indian drivers licence to an Australian drivers licence.

A locally recognised photograph identification document will resolve many issues. If you don't, you may find yourself stuck in certain circumstances and there's very little that we or VFS, on behalf of the Indian Consulate, can do for you.

What notary public services do we provide for Indians?

We provide the Indian community with a range of notary public services. Whether it's helping them to convert their Indian drivers licence to an Australian drivers licence when their names are different on their Indian drivers licence and Indian passport, or to witness their documents such as General Power of Attorney or Special Power of Attorney for use in India, we've provided the solutions for different situations and different problems. Unfortunately, there are some situations that we can fix - and it's in those cases that you need to take action before it becomes a problem to avoid the difficulties that we see some people have.

What problems could you have if you don't have Australian photograph identification?

Although you could always carry your Indian passport and use that as your primary photograph identification in Australia, it's not always the best or most practical form of identification. Instead, it would be better (and more relevant in Australia) to carry an Australian photograph identification, like an Australian drivers licence or an Australian photocard or photograph identification. In Australia, these documents are widely accepted by most places as the primary photograph identification because Australia does not have a national identity card.

For example, if you lose or damage your Indian passport (or if it's stolen), you'll need to apply to VFS/Indian Consulate for a replacement. The application is in the form of an affidavit known as Form V. The affidavit must be sworn/declared and signed in front of a notary public - that's what we do. However, if you don't have your passport (because it's lost, stolen or damaged beyond recognition) you'll need to have some other form of valid identification document that's valid and acceptable in Australia. Generally, the only documents that would be accepted as valid identification documents are government-issued identification documents that have your photograph (ie, a drivers licence or photocard). If you don't have a valid identification document with your photograph, you don't be able to identify yourself to sign the affidavit.

So many people ask us to help them to witness their signature on Form V but we can't help without some form of valid identification to confirm that you are the person signing the Form V. You need photograph identification that is valid in Australia.

What next?

To obtain a quote on our notary public services for India, please visit http://www.notary-parramatta.com.au/notary-fees/.

Acknowledgements

This blog is supported and maintained by Phang Legal. Phang Legal is a leading provider of notary public services in Sydney. With offices conveniently located in Parramatta, Phang Legal supports and services the Indian community across Sydney with readily available and easily accessible notary public services at highly competitive rates.

For more information regarding notary public services for documents going to India, view our notary publications at http://www.notary-parramatta.com.au/jurisdiction/india-notary/.

Frequently asked questions regarding our notary public services can also be found at http://www.notary-parramatta.com.au/faqs/.

For Hindi to English translation services by NAATI accredited translators, see http://hindi-naati-translation.blogspot.com.au/.

Ern Phang
Notary Public

Ern Phang is the solicitor director of Phang Legal and a notary public. Ern regularly writes about his experiences as a notary public, including the kinds of problems and solutions that his clients face when sending documents to India.

IMPORTANT: the information in this article is correct at the time of publication, however the law constantly changes. This means you should always refer to the most recent articles because we try to update this blog on a regular basis with the most current information.

What documents do you need to send to India?

Confused? Get legal advice!

Many clients call us for advice about what legal documents they should be sending to India, how to write their legal documents for India or whether their legal documents should also be stamped by the Indian Consulate/VFS. Each time we tell them that they need to ask their lawyer in India - and if you are also looking for answers to these same legal questions, then you should also ask your lawyer in India.

As a public notary, we can assist you with the legal process in Australia only. There is a process in Australia (following international conventions) that involves documents originating from Australia or signed in Australia to be first notarised and then authenticated/legalised, or stamped with an apostille. The challenge when dealing with the legal process relating to Indian documents signed in Australia but used in India is that there does not seem to be a single accepted approach adopted by lawyers in India or even by the Consulate/VFS despite the international conventions.

For example, widely recognised and accepted international conventions allow for documents that have been stamped with an apostille to be accepted in their intended destination country if that country is a member state of the Apostille Convention without further stamping, verification or legalisation. Accordingly, this should mean that documents that have been stamped with an apostille in Australia should be accepted in India without issue, however this often does not seem to be the case. Many lawyers in India have advised clients that they must also have their documents stamped by the Consulate/VFS and VFS have stated that those documents would have to be stamped with an apostille before they would accept them - despite the Apostille Convention.

Ultimately, your end goal is to satisfy whoever it is in India that the documents you are sending to them are valid. This means that despite whatever regulation or process may exist with VFS, the Consulate or international protocols, the intended recipient's opinion is the most important.

To obtain a quote on our notary public services for India, please visit https://www.notary-parramatta.com.au/notary-fees/.

Acknowledgements

This blog is supported and maintained by Phang Legal. Phang Legal is a leading provider of notary public services in Sydney. With offices conveniently located in Parramatta, Phang Legal supports and services the Indian community across Sydney with readily available and easily accessible notary public services at highly competitive rates.

For more information regarding notary public services for documents going to India, view our notary publications at https://www.notary-parramatta.com.au/jurisdiction/india-notary/.

Frequently asked questions regarding our notary public services can also be found at https://www.notary-parramatta.com.au/faqs/.

For Hindi to English translation services by NAATI accredited translators, see https://hindi-naati-translation.blogspot.com.au/.

Ern Phang
Notary Public

Ern Phang is the solicitor director of Phang Legal and a notary public. Ern regularly writes about his experiences as a notary public, including the kinds of problems and solutions that his clients face when sending documents to India.

IMPORTANT: the information in this article is correct at the time of publication, however the law constantly changes. This means you should always refer to the most recent articles because we try to update this blog on a regular basis with the most current information.

DFAT Changes 2017

Have you been to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) recently to stamp your documents with an apostille?

Many documents that need to be sent to India must also be stamped by VFS, and VFS requires those documents to notarised and stamped with an apostille. DFAT is the authorised issuing authority for apostilles in Australia and so if your documents must be stamped with an apostille, then they must be processed by DFAT.

Recently, DFAT have introduced a number of changes to the way they process documents as well as the cost. Previously, you could walk into DFAT at their Sydney office and have your documents processed over the counter. You might have to wait depending on how busy they were, but it was a fairly informal and simple process as long as you were able to go there during their normal opening hours. Now, you need to call in advance to make an appointment. Sometimes you will be able to make an appointment on short notice, but other times you could be waiting for a few business days. If you are going to go to DFAT to have your document stamped with an apostille, you will still need to allow for half a day at least.

From 1 January 2017, DFAT have also changed their filing fees and the way that they charge their filing fees. Previously, single paged documents were $60 for the apostille and $80 for multiple paged documents. Now, there is a flat fee of $80 for all documents. Simple. You do not need to worry about the size of your document, or whether your document has been bound or not, the fee to have your document stamped with an apostille is $80.

As a leading provider of notary public services in Sydney, in addition to notarising your documents we are able to arrange for your documents to be stamped with an apostille at DFAT. Our services will cover both filing and the filing fee and is perfect for those clients who do not have the time to make an appointment and go to DFAT themselves. If you need this additional service, we can handle the whole process on your behalf from notarisation, and apostille stamping so that you can collect the final document from our office or if you prefer, posted out to you by express post.

To obtain a quote on our notary public services for India, please visit https://www.notary-parramatta.com.au/notary-fees/.

Acknowledgements

This blog is supported and maintained by Phang Legal. Phang Legal is a leading provider of notary public services in Sydney. With offices conveniently located in Parramatta, Phang Legal supports and services the Indian community across Sydney with readily available and easily accessible notary public services at highly competitive rates.

For more information regarding notary public services for documents going to India, view our notary publications at https://www.notary-parramatta.com.au/jurisdiction/india-notary/.

Frequently asked questions regarding our notary public services can also be found at https://www.notary-parramatta.com.au/faqs/.

For Hindi to English translation services by NAATI accredited translators, see https://hindi-naati-translation.blogspot.com.au/.

Ern Phang
Notary Public

Ern Phang is the solicitor director of Phang Legal and a notary public. Ern regularly writes about his experiences as a notary public, including the kinds of problems and solutions that his clients face when sending documents to India.

IMPORTANT: the information in this article is correct at the time of publication, however the law constantly changes. This means you should always refer to the most recent articles because we try to update this blog on a regular basis with the most current information.

Our new Form V video for 2017

Have you lost or damaged your Indian Passport? Or perhaps it was stolen and you need to apply to VFS for a replacement. Part of the process requires you to submit an Affidavit in Lieu of Lost/Damaged Passport, also known as Form V. Form V must be signed in front of a notary public who must also sign and notarise the Form V before it will be accepted by VFS.

We can help you with this.

To obtain a quote on our notary public services for India, please visit https://www.notary-parramatta.com.au/notary-fees/.

Acknowledgements

This blog is supported and maintained by Phang Legal. Phang Legal is a leading provider of notary public services in Sydney. With offices conveniently located in Parramatta, Phang Legal supports and services the Indian community across Sydney with readily available and easily accessible notary public services at highly competitive rates.

For more information regarding notary public services for documents going to India, view our notary publications at https://www.notary-parramatta.com.au/jurisdiction/india-notary/.

Frequently asked questions regarding our notary public services can also be found at https://www.notary-parramatta.com.au/faqs/.

For Hindi to English translation services by NAATI accredited translators, see https://hindi-naati-translation.blogspot.com.au/.

Ern Phang
Notary Public

Ern Phang is the solicitor director of Phang Legal and a notary public. Ern regularly writes about his experiences as a notary public, including the kinds of problems and solutions that his clients face when sending documents to India.

IMPORTANT: the information in this article is correct at the time of publication, however the law constantly changes. This means you should always refer to the most recent articles because we try to update this blog on a regular basis with the most current information.

Our new IDLV video for 2017

Converting your Indian Drivers Licence to a NSW Drivers Licence but your name on your Indian Drivers Licence is different to your name on your Indian Passport?

You need to satisfy the VFS requirements for the Indian Drivers Licence Verification (IDLV). This includes having a notary certificate to verify that you are the one and the same person, and having that notary certificate stamped with an apostille by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

We can help you with this.

To obtain a quote on our notary public services for India, please visit https://www.notary-parramatta.com.au/notary-fees/.

Acknowledgements

This blog is supported and maintained by Phang Legal. Phang Legal is a leading provider of notary public services in Sydney. With offices conveniently located in Parramatta, Phang Legal supports and services the Indian community across Sydney with readily available and easily accessible notary public services at highly competitive rates.

For more information regarding notary public services for documents going to India, view our notary publications at https://www.notary-parramatta.com.au/jurisdiction/india-notary/.

Frequently asked questions regarding our notary public services can also be found at https://www.notary-parramatta.com.au/faqs/.

For Hindi to English translation services by NAATI accredited translators, see https://hindi-naati-translation.blogspot.com.au/.

Ern Phang
Notary Public

Ern Phang is the solicitor director of Phang Legal and a notary public. Ern regularly writes about his experiences as a notary public, including the kinds of problems and solutions that his clients face when sending documents to India.

IMPORTANT: the information in this article is correct at the time of publication, however the law constantly changes. This means you should always refer to the most recent articles because we try to update this blog on a regular basis with the most current information.