We don't make the rules
Many people have asked us about (complained to us about) VFS requirements for
their various Indian consular services, including having documents notarised
or stamped with an apostille.
Sorry, we don't make the rules. If you have any issues, concerns or complaints
about the different requirements that VFS impose on their various Indian
consular services, you really need to contact VFS - they make the rules, their
own rules.
The bottom line is, if you want VFS to do something for you, then you need to follow their rules and satisfy their requirements. That's it - it's quite simple.
The VFS requirements are contained in their various checklists. If you need to attest a special power of attorney or general power of attorney, there's a
specific checklist for that. If you need Indian Drivers Licence Verification,
there's a specific checklist for that. If you need to issue a passport or you have damaged your passport and need a replacement, there are specific forms and checklists for them too.
No matter what you require from VFS in the form of Indian consular services,
there's a corresponding checklist stating the requirements that you must
satisfy in order to receive those services.
IF the checklist says you need to have your documents attested by a notary public, then that's what we do. IF the checklist says you need to have your
documents stamped with an apostille from the Department of Foreign Affairs and
Trade, then that's something we can arrange for you as well.
But if you're not happy with the VFS requirements for whatever Indian consular services you require, there's nothing that we can do about it. We don't make the rules.
We just provide the service
As much as we can't change the system or re-write the rules to suit your preferences, we understand your predicament and try to help you where we can -
especially when it comes to notarising documents or arranging for the apostille. Instead of complaining about the requirements, maybe the more constructive approach would be to find out what's required and then trying to satisfy those requirements. If you need help, then call us.
We provide notary public services. In most cases, this means we can witness
you sign documents or we can certify copies of documents for submission to
VFS. If you also need an apostille from the Department of Foreign Affairs and
Trade, which is required by some consular services, then we can arrange all of that for you as well.
If you're frustrated about the process, we understand - but while we can't change the process, we can look after it for you so that you don't have to be bothered by it. That's the service that we provide.
Indian Drivers Licence Verification
For example, if you've been reading through our blog or read other articles that we've posted over the years, you'll see that we're very familiar with the process known as the Indian Drivers Licence Verification, especially when your
name on your Indian Drivers Licence is different to the name that appears on
your Indian Passport. In those cases, the IDLV Checklist offers you two
options to verify your name/identity and one of those options is to have a
notary public confirm that you are the one and the same person and to have
that document stamped with an apostille. How VFS interprets that requirement
has changed since we started assisting clients with satisfying the
requirements in the checklist - and we've also had to change our service
offering (not our pricing). To help you satisfy this requirement not only do
we provide you with a notary certificate that verifies that you are the one
and the same person, but we also prepare an affidavit which you would need to
sign at the same time and we provide certified copies of your respective
identification documents. Even if you want to try to argue that the
requirements set out in the IDLV Checklist don't require all of these
documents, it's better to be safe than sorry. It doesn't cost extra to include
the additional documents and so we include them to avoid any reason that VFS
would or could reject your application because of something that we have or
haven't done in terms of the notary public service.
Sounds simple? It is when you take a step back and try to work within the
system rather than against it.
So what about the apostille? Do you really need it? Yes and yes. The IDLV Checklist is very clear that you need to have your documents stamped with an apostille. The apostille is only available from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. The apostille is confirmation that your documents have been properly notarised by a notary public. That's it.
It doesn't matter how much you want to complain about or resist the requirement (or the cost, time and hassle) of obtaining an apostille, it's a requirement and if you don't satisfy this requirement then VFS will reject your application.
We try to make this process as simple as possible for you and will look after the apostille process for you. We arrange to have your documents stamped with an apostille from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and returned to our office for you to collect. If you don't want this service or you don't want to pay for this service, you can always make your own arrangements. It's actually very simple. But if you want our help, that's why we're here - to help. We can look after that whole process for you from the notary certificate, the notarised affidavit, certified copies of your identification documents, and the apostille.
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 — Parramatta
6/83 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.
