By Ern Phang, Solicitor & Notary Public
Director of Phang Legal. Solicitor since 1998 and notary public since 2005.
Example: the situation
Puja's bank in India wants proof of her identity, and her family suggests she post her original passport. She's nervous about letting it out of her hands.
Sending a notarised copy is usually safer than sending your original passport. Let's discuss why.
Attesting copies of passports is a common request, but why?
Don't lose your passport!
Your passport is an important document. While it's not irreplaceable, to replace a lost, stolen, or damaged passport is a real hassle - an unnecessary burden if it can be avoided. There are going to be many times when you'll have to prove your identity and perhaps rely on your passport as evidence. In those cases, unless you absolutely have to, you shouldn't really be sending your original passport anywhere or to anyone. Not only can it be lost in the mail, but once your passport is out of your possession and control, then who knows what could happen to it. Instead of sending your original passport, perhaps you should consider sending a copy only.
Sending copies of your passport overseas
Depending on who needs to see your passport, the copies that you send to them may need to be attested by a justice of the peace or by a notary public. If you're sending a copy of your passport overseas, then it should be attested and notarised by a notary public rather than just attested by a justice of the peace.
VFS applications
If you need to send your original passport, or an attested copy of your passport, to VFS in support of any applications you may be submitting to them, we recommend sending an attested copy of your passport rather than your original passport. For people living in New South Wales, this also means your passport copy must be attested by a notary public while anyone else living in any other state can have their passport copy attested by a justice of the peace.
Primary identification document in Australia
If you don't have any other form of photograph personal identification in Australia other than your passport, you should probably carry a copy of your passport (preferably an attested copy) instead of your original passport. There have been many cases where we've had to help people who have lost their passport or had it stolen or damaged because they were carrying their passport around with them every day. You should keep your passport securely and if you don't apply for another form of identification (ie, like a NSW drivers licence or photocard) then consider only carrying an attested copy. Since you'll be using it only in Australia as your primary identification, you don't have to have it attested by a notary public and can rely on an attestation from a justice of the peace.
Our notary public services
As a leading provider of notary public services in Sydney, we help the community by attesting copies of passports all day every day.
(Just remember we charge for copy of each passport - please do not expect that you can have as many copies of the passport as you like for the same price.)
To obtain a quote on our notary public services for India, please visit Request a notary quote.Example: the solution
Puja kept her passport and brought it to our office instead. Our notary public attested and notarised a copy, which she sent to her bank in India while her original stayed safely with her.
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.
