By Ern Phang, Solicitor & Notary Public
Director of Phang Legal. Solicitor since 1998 and notary public since 2005.
Example: the situation
Ritesh's Indian drivers licence was issued in the name on his school records, a shortened form of his legal name. His passport, issued years later, carries his full legal name.
If your licence and passport names differ, the notary and apostille option is a simple fix. Let's discuss what to bring.
VFS links and resources — Updated July 2026. Links in this article have been updated to the resources listed in our July 2026 VFS update and the VFS India website for Australia. Use the relevant VFS checklist for current requirements. This note concerns links and resources; the rest of this article has not been comprehensively reviewed.
IDLV documents for notary public services
Trying to convert your Indian Drivers Licence to an Australian Drivers Licence but the name on your Indian Passport and your Indian Drivers Licence are different? Don't worry, you're not alone. Many Indians face this same issue and fortunately, we offer a very simple solution.What's the problem with the Indian Drivers Licence in Australia?
Actually, there's no problem. In most states, you're able to drive on your Indian Drivers Licence for a limited time (please check with the driving authority first). However, if you want to convert your Indian Drivers Licence to an Australian Drivers Licence, this is where it can become a little more challenging.Many Indians have their licence issued in the name that appears on their school records, being their primary form of identification at the time the licence is issued. The name that appears on those records or documentation is not their full legal name and could reflect social names or abbreviations. Later in life, if they obtain a passport, their passport is generally issued in their formal and full legal name.
If you haven't done so already, have a look at the IDLV Checklist.
https://assets.ctfassets.net/xxg4p8gt3sg6/7ImEXsEFDCU8jordontcc/eb7e88e34a49a9db19a96a88d52c3a9c/IDLV-Checklist-Revised-Final.pdf
Under Section B, if there's any difference between the name that appears on your Indian Passport and your Indian Drivers Licence, you need to consider Option 1 or Option 2 - and generally speaking, it's easier/cheaper for most people in Australia to choose Option 1.
Option 1 - Notary Public Services and Apostille
Choosing Option 1 for notary public services and the apostille, you will need to prove that you are the one and the same person in your Indian Passport and your Indian drivers Licence. Your documents must have your photograph and your photograph in both documents must be similar enough to recognise that you are the one and the same person and your date of birth must be the same. If there are other differences like your father's name or your address, you may need to check with VFSIf you need the power of attorney and the photographs and fingerprints to be sealed separately as two different documents, then additional costs will apply.
To obtain a quote on our notary public services for India, please visit Request a notary quote.Example: the solution
Ritesh brought his original passport and Indian drivers licence to his appointment. Our notary public notarised the certificate confirming both names belong to him, and we arranged the apostille so he could lodge his IDLV application.
About Us
This blog is maintained by Phang Legal, a boutique law firm with offices in Parramatta and Rouse Hill. We help clients from across Sydney and beyond with personal, professional and timely Legal Services, Notary Services and Apostille Services.
As a leading provider of notary services in Sydney, we have 1k+ Google Reviews (4.9) (updated July 2026) with many clients happy to share their experience in using our services.
Phang Legal — Parramatta6/83 George Street
Level 3, 87 Marsden Street (from 1 March 2026)
Parramatta NSW 2150
Phang Legal — Rouse Hill
214/80 Main Street
Rouse Hill NSW 2155
Call 02 9687 8885 | WhatsApp | Request quote
About the author
Ern Phang — Solicitor & Notary Public
This article was written by Ern Phang, a director of Phang Legal, a solicitor since 1998 and a notary public since 2005.
Ern has been a member of the Society of Notaries of NSW since 2005, a Fellow of the Australian and New Zealand College of Notaries since 2013, and a member of the Law Society of New South Wales since 1998.
Ern regularly writes about his experiences as a notary public and the practical issues his clients face when sending documents from Australia to India and other countries all over the world.
Using information in this article
This article provides general information. Requirements, forms, fees and service arrangements may have changed since its original publication. Check the receiving organisation’s current requirements and obtain advice relevant to your circumstances.
