1. Incorrect Documents or Unsatisfied Document Requirements.
One of the biggest reasons why we can't help people with notarising their documents is because they bring the wrong documents, or the documents have been printed wrong or typed wrong. Generally, we can't check your documents. If your documents have been prepared by a lawyer, then you should check with the lawyer BEFORE you make your appointment. If you prepared your own documents, then you need to check it yourself and/or send it to a lawyer in India to check for you.In India, many of the legal documents are written on foolscap paper, or stamped/bonded paper or 'green' legal paper. None of those exist in Australia and generally, it's totally acceptable to print your documents on normal white A4 paper, but not only should you check, but you also need to make sure that your formatting is correct. There have been too many times that people have printed foolscap formatted documents onto an A4 page only to have parts missing from the bottom or the top or the page breaks are all in the wrong places. If you need to have stamped/bonded paper, then that's not available in Australia - only in India. Using an Australia Post postal stamp is NOT the same thing (despite what some clients believe).
You should also know whether your document needs a photograph or a thumbprint, or whether you need to have witnesses other than the notary public. If you've checked and you've been told that they're important by your lawyer in India, then pre-arrange these things, come prepared or otherwise ask us when you're making your appointment.
SUMMARY: Check your requirements with your lawyer in India and bring the right documents to your appointment.
2. Incorrect Identification Documents
Being able to identify yourself is one of the most important aspects of the notary public service. If you can't identify yourself, then generally we're not going to be able to help you. How you identify yourself really depends on what you're doing and the document that you need to have notarised. Australia-recognised photograph identification is a minimum requirement. This includes a passport and/or an Australian drivers licence, photograph identification card or another form of Australian government-issued photograph identification document (ie, this would not include the Medicare card as it doesn't have a photograph). Without that primary identification document, we can't accept any other document even if it's been issued overseas or has your photograph. For example, you cannot use your Indian Drivers Licence or your PAN card as proof of your identity in Australia.Sometimes if a document that you're signing refers to a specific identification document (ie, passport number) then you need to bring that identification document with you to prove your identity for that purpose. In these cases, you may also then need to produce your PAN card or other foreign identification document otherwise it may not be possible for us to witness your document IF we're required to witness your signature and verify your identity accord to that identification document. If in doubt or if you're not sure, bring all identification documents to your appointment.
SUMMARY: Bring your photograph ID document, especially any document referred to in the document that you need to have notarised.
No appointment
Are appointments essential? No, they're not - but they're helpful. Our office is generally open during the normal working week, between 9am and 5pm, Monday to Friday excluding public holidays and the period between Christmas and New Year. However, despite being open our notary public is not always available due to other commitments or appointments in and out of the office. Of course, if you come without an appointment and we're able to assist, we'll assist you. But if we can't, then we can't as well. The only way to be sure is to make an appointment, otherwise you're risking either a long wait or a wasted trip.If you need the power of attorney and the photographs and fingerprints to be sealed separately as two different documents, then additional costs will apply.
SUMMARY: Make an appointment and be on time.
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/.
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.
