The law in most countries requires that a signature on a document be witnessed or other procedures applied before the document can be used for legal purposes or in a court of law.
Within Australia, services such as certifying true copies, statutory declaration and other witnessing services are conducted by Australian Notaries Public, Justices of the Peace or other authorised officials. If a document that has been certified or witnessed is then to be used overseas, it is normally only the signature of Australian Notaries Public that can be legalised (through Apostille or Authentication) by DFAT.
Notarial services are legal acts, which allow a written record to be used for official or legal purposes including in a court of law.
The range of, and requirements for, notarial services are varied. It is the client’s responsibility to know which service he/she requires.