Notary services
Notarial support for businesses working across borders, and individuals managing important personal matters.
Whether you are signing on behalf of a company or preparing personal documents for overseas use, we can help identify the notarial work your matter requires.
Enquire about notary servicesA practical approach to notarisation
Patrick Dwyer is a Notary Public. At Dwyer Harris, we provide notarial services alongside our commercial legal practice, with an emphasis on the needs of businesses, in-house legal teams and professional advisers. We also welcome enquiries about personal documents.
A notary can provide independent evidence of a signing, a person's identity or a document's authenticity. The work needed depends on the document and the requirements of the organisation receiving it.
Notarial services for business
Cross-border transactions and overseas registrations can involve more than witnessing a signature. We can review the requested notarial formalities, including the signatory's identity and authority to act for a company.
Company signings & powers of attorney
Witnessing and certifying execution of corporate documents, including powers of attorney, agreements and declarations, with appropriate checks on the person signing and their authority.
Company records & certificates
Notarial certification of company documents and ASIC records, including registration records and resolutions. Enquiries about certificates of good standing can be assessed against the particular requirements and available records.
Overseas transactions & operations
Notarial work connected with overseas tenders, business registrations, commercial arrangements and other international matters, subject to review of the documents and receiving authority's instructions.
Support for legal teams & advisers
A point of contact for in-house counsel, company secretaries, law firms and other professional advisers coordinating notarial work for their organisation or clients.
Notarial services for personal matters
We also assist individuals who need documents notarised for overseas use. Depending on the requirements, this may involve:
- Witnessing signatures on powers of attorney, deeds and overseas property documents.
- Administering oaths or affirmations for affidavits and declarations.
- Certifying copies of identity documents, qualifications and other personal records.
- Notarial work for overseas employment, study, estate or other personal matters.
Some original Australian public documents can go directly to DFAT for legalisation. A notarised copy or signature may be needed in other cases. We will assess the requested process rather than assume every document needs notarisation.
US matters, close to the Consulate
Patrick Dwyer is included on the list of Australian Public Notaries who have made themselves known to the U.S. Consulates General.
Our office at Suite 702, 44 Miller Street, North Sydney is conveniently located next door to the U.S. Consulate General.
We are an independent Australian notarial practice, not part of or endorsed by the U.S. Government.
U.S. Embassy & Consulates: notarial services and Australian notary lists
Apostilles, authentication & legalisation
Notarisation may be one step in preparing a document for overseas use. Depending on the destination and recipient, a DFAT apostille or authentication, and sometimes consular legalisation, may also be required.
DFAT issues Australian apostilles and authentication certificates. These verify a relevant signature or seal, not the underlying contents of the document.
We can arrange for your documents to receive an apostille or authentication from DFAT. Tell us where the documents will be used and provide the receiving organisation’s instructions so we can confirm the process and applicable fees. Any consular legalisation requirements can be discussed separately.
DFAT guidance on documents for overseas useNotarial fees
Our notarial charges are based on the published recommended scale of fees of the Society of Notaries of New South Wales.
The fee depends on the documents, the number of signatories and the work required. Multiple or complex documents may be charged on a time basis. We will confirm the applicable charges after reviewing your requirements.
GST and applicable out-of-pocket expenses, such as searches, DFAT or consular fees, postage, couriers and translations, will be identified separately where relevant.
The Society's scale is a recommended fee schedule, not a fixed government tariff. The linked schedule should be checked for its current version.
Before your appointment
- Describe the work. Provide the document type, intended country of use, deadline and any instructions from the receiving organisation.
- Allow us to review the requirements. We may need to see the documents or clarify wording, identity checks, signing authority, translations or additional witnesses.
- Bring the right materials. Bring current photo identification, the original documents and the recipient's instructions. For a company signing, bring the authority documents we request.
- Wait to sign. Where a signature must be witnessed, do not sign in advance. Appointments for witnessing are in person.
If a document is not in English, tell us beforehand so we can discuss translation or interpreter requirements.
Common questions
Can a Justice of the Peace do this instead?
It depends on the recipient's requirements. For overseas documents, a notary may be required rather than a JP. Check the instructions before arranging a signing.
Do you assist both businesses and individuals?
Yes. Our notarial services cover business documents as well as personal matters. Use the enquiry form to tell us what you need.
Will my documents need an apostille?
Not every document does. Ask the receiving organisation whether it requires notarisation, an apostille, authentication or consular legalisation, and share its instructions with us.
Can I attend without an appointment?
Please contact us first to arrange an appointment and confirm what to bring. An enquiry does not itself confirm a booking.
Enquire about notary services
Describe the work required so we can assess the documents, likely fees and appointment requirements.
Dwyer Harris
Suite 702, 44 Miller St
North Sydney NSW 2060 Australia
+61 2 8912 0400
Office hours: Monday–Friday, 9am–5pm
Please do not include passport numbers, payment details or sensitive document contents in this initial enquiry. We can discuss how to provide documents after you contact us.