By Ern Phang, Solicitor & Notary Public
Director of Phang Legal. Solicitor since 1998 and notary public since 2005.
Example: the situation
Arjun is signing a power of attorney so his sister can sell the family home in Ludhiana. The document has a box marked "left thumb impression" beside a space for a photograph. He has never used his thumbprint on a document before.
Your Indian lawyer can tell you whether the document you sign in Australia needs to be notarised. If it does, you must sign it in the presence of a notary public, who will verify your identity, witness your signature and notarise your document.
In addition to signing your document, do you need to put your thumbprint on it as well? This is a frequently asked question from the many clients we serve who are sending documents to India. Let's discuss this in further detail.
Why are thumbprints used on documents for India?
In the past, especially when a large portion of the population couldn't read or write, people who couldn't sign used a thumbprint to acknowledge a document instead of a written signature. These days, people with a physical condition or disability that prevents them from signing (ie, because they're unable to hold a pen) might also use a thumbprint instead of a signature.
Thumbprints still appear on property documents. Section 32A of India's Registration Act 1908 requires photographs and fingerprints from people presenting certain documents for registration, including the buyers and sellers in a property transfer. That's why many powers of attorney for property in India include a page for your photograph and thumb impression. If you require the s32A form in addition to the primary document (ie, the property document you are signing), it's a separate notary certification and an additional cost.
Does your document for India require a thumbprint?
Your lawyer in India must tell you of their requirements. It's not up to us. For most of our clients, their lawyers should be able to tell them:
- Whether it's required. Not every document needs a thumbprint, even if it's going to India.
- Which thumb to use. It's commonly the left thumb.
- Where it goes. Usually there's a box marked on the page, sometimes beside a space for your photograph.
- Whether photographs are needed. And if so, how many and what size.
- What colour ink to use. Most ask for black ink, but some have specifically asked for blue ink.
Does our notary certification refer to your thumbprint?
Our notary certificate ordinarily records that we witnessed your signature. It doesn't separately refer to your thumbprint unless your lawyer requires it. If your lawyer wants a certificate to refer to your thumbprint as well, let us know before your appointment. Including your thumbprint on a document is covered by the usual notary certification, but a thumbprint on the s32A document or a separate notary certificate in addition to our usual notary certification is an additional cost.
Does a document with your thumbprint need an apostille?
Your thumbprint makes no difference to whether you need an apostille. What matters is who receives the document. Courts, registration offices and government departments in India generally expect one, because India and Australia have both joined the Apostille Convention. A relative or private buyer might not ask for it at all.
Now and then, a recipient asks for attestation by the Indian High Commission or Consulate rather than an apostille. We'll look at how that works in a later article.
India Power of Attorney: Signing, Notarisation and Sending Process
What to bring to your appointment
- Your document, unsigned and without your thumbprint. You do both in front of our notary.
- Photo identification. Your passport is best.
- Any photographs your lawyer has asked for.
- Your lawyer's instructions. This is for your benefit, so that we can check where the thumbprint and photographs go.
What next?
Example: the solution
Arjun checked with the family's lawyer, who confirmed that both the thumb impression and a photograph were needed. He brought two passport photographs to his appointment, signed in front of our notary and placed his left thumb impression in the box. Our notary notarised the power of attorney, and we arranged the apostille, then couriered the document to his sister in Ludhiana.
Does your document need your thumbprint? Request a quote, or message us on WhatsApp.
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.
