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
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/.
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.
