Feedback wanted
As a leading provider of notary public services, we assist many people within the Indian community with notarising documents for use overseas - mainly India. Naturally, this work often involves and overlaps with VFS and so when our clients have issues with VFS, we know about it.
Recently, we've received a number of queries from clients about their dealings with VFS and some of it has been confusing and concerning. In particular, we've been told that:
- Clients must have their Indian birth certificates or marriage certificates notarised in Australia. The public notary in Australia should not be notarising foreign public documents, like these personal certificates. Foreign public documents should be notarised in the country where those documents were issued - not Australia.
- Clients must sign notary certificates issued by a public notary in Australia. The notary certificate is a document that is issued by the public notary and signed by the public notary. It isn't a document that would normally be signed by clients (ie, the certificate is given by the public notary, it's not a self-certification by the client).
- Clients must have their utility bills and other statements notarised by a public notary in Australia. The challenge with many bills and statements in Australia is that they are mostly issued electronically. While it's still possible to notarise these documents, the process is more involved which translates into cost - and of course that's not what many of our clients are happy to hear.
What's happened?
According to the VFS website, a number of checklists for different processes and applications changed on 31 August 2020. This means some things are now being done differently at VFS, especially for clients who live in New South Wales. Documents that could be previously signed by a justice of the peace or a public notary now have to be signed by a public notary only. Unfortunately, this means the process is going to be more expensive for clients because while having documents signed by a justice of the peace is free, having the same documents signed by a public notary isn't free.
Of course we remain committed to assisting our clients with their public notary requirements for documents intended for India or for submission to VFS, but these recent changes at VFS are likely to create confusion as well as raise more problems and incur additional costs than before.
What next?
To obtain a quote on our notary public services for India, please visit Request a notary quote.
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.
