In New South Wales, two types of public officers can perform services related to confirming identities and witnessing documents of a legal and binding nature.
A Justice of the Peace (JP) can do such things such as certifying true copies of original documents, witnessing affidavits and statutory declarations.
A Notary Public (also known as a Public Notary) who is used for more significant forms of legal verification.
What is a Notary Public?
A Notary Public can officiate over and administer oaths, affirmations and give legal advice and services. A Justice of the Peace can’t do any of these.
A notary can apply to the Legal Profession Admission Board to be appointed by the Supreme Court of NSW when they have satisfied the following requirements:
- a lawyer with at least 5 years of legal practice; and
- completion of a Notarial Practice Training Course.
A Notary has more responsibilities than a Justice of the Peace. They are granted their own seals or stamps for use in Australian, international and courts in foreign countries. Using a Notary Public to verify documents gives them complete authenticity.
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