Owen Harris
Accredited Specialist in Immigration Law | Notary Public
The Principal Lawyer at TranQuill Legal, an Accredited Specialist in Immigration Law, and a Notary Public providing clear and capable guidance across Australia and overseas.
If you’ve been quoted different prices from various notary publics across Australia, you’re not imagining things. Unlike many professional services with standardised fee structures, notary public fees can vary significantly depending on location, document complexity, and the services required. Understanding what influences these costs can help you budget appropriately and choose the right notary for your needs.
Notary Fees in Australia: A Quick Overview
Before diving into numbers, it helps to understand how notary costs work in practice.
- There is no single flat fee for notary services in Australia
- Most matters involve three cost layers: notarisation, verification, and overseas authentication
- DFAT and embassy fees are separate from notary fees
What Does a Notary Public Do?
A notary public is a qualified lawyer appointed by the Supreme Court to certify documents for use overseas.
Unlike a Justice of the Peace, who can certify documents for use within Australia, notaries:
- Verify the authenticity of documents for foreign jurisdictions
- apply internationally recognised notarial certificates
- coordinate DFAT apostilles or authentications
- manage embassy or consular legalisation where required
These additional responsibilities and legal liability are key reasons notary fees differ from other witnessing services.
How Notary Costs Are Calculated
Notary fees are made up of three main components. Not every matter requires all three.
1. Notarisation Fees
These cover the notarial appointment, legal review, certification, and application of the notarial seal.
- First non-commercial document: $170
- Additional non-commercial documents (same appointment): $75 each
- Commercial documents: $170 per document
2. Verification (Only If Required)
Some documents must be independently verified before they can be notarised.
- ASIC verification (company documents): $50
- Academic verification (degrees or qualifications): $25 per degree
- Personal ID verification: $10
(covers up to three IDs such as passports, birth certificates, licences, Medicare cards)
3. Overseas Authentication
If your document will be used overseas, additional steps may apply.
This can include:
- DFAT apostille or authentication
- embassy or consular authentication
- delivery and collection from government offices
Fees vary depending on the destination country.
Common Cost Examples
These examples show how costs typically add up.
Example A
Single degree certificate for the UK (DFAT apostille only)
- First document: $170
- Academic verification: $25
- DFAT apostille and delivery: $202
Total: $397
Example B
Two statutory declarations for Qatar
- First document: $170
- Second document: $75
- DFAT apostilles (2): $304
- Qatar authentication (2): $100
- Embassy delivery: $100
Total: $749
Example C
Commercial contract for the UAE
- Commercial document: $170
- ASIC verification: $50
- DFAT apostille and delivery: $202
- UAE commercial authentication: $1,100
- Administration fee: $70
- Embassy delivery: $100
Total: $1,692
These are examples only. Your actual cost depends on your documents and destination.
DFAT Apostille and Authentication Costs
- DFAT apostille or authentication: $102 per document
- Delivery to and collection from DFAT: $100
Our Canberra location near the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade allows us to hand-deliver documents, reducing delays and avoiding courier risks.
Embassy Authentication (Common Destinations)
We regularly handle embassy authentication for a wide range of countries. Below are some of the most commonly requested.
United Arab Emirates (UAE)
- Non-commercial documents: $140 per document
- Commercial documents: $1,100 per document
- Administration fee: $70 per three documents
Qatar
- Non-commercial: $50 per document
- Commercial: $75 per document
Iraq
- All documents: USD $160 per document
Kuwait
- Non-commercial: $35 per document
- Commercial: $70 per document
Jordan
- Non-commercial: $12.50 per document
- Commercial: $73.50 per document
We also provide authentication services for many other embassies. Contact us for specific pricing for your destination country.
Embassy delivery fees: $100 or $200 for delivery to and collection from embassies, depending on distance from our office.
Why Clients Choose Our Pricing Model
Canberra-Based Advantage
- Hand delivery to DFAT and embassies
- Faster processing timeframes
- Reduced courier risk
- No interstate shipping delays
Transparent, Upfront Pricing
Our quotes include:
- notarisation and legal review
- required verifications
- coordination with DFAT and embassies
- delivery and collection services
There are no hidden fees.
Built-In Cost Savings
Additional non-commercial documents at the same appointment are charged at $75, making it more cost-effective to bundle documents together.
Why Notary Fees Vary Across Australia
Notary fees reflect the professional responsibility involved.
Factors include:
- document complexity
- number of documents
- verification requirements
- overseas destination rules
- legal liability and insurance obligations
Commercial and multi-page documents require more legal review than simple, single-page declarations.
How to Keep Your Costs Down
- Bundle documents into one appointment where possible
- Plan ahead to avoid urgent processing
- Bring complete and original documents
- Check destination country requirements early
These steps help avoid repeat appointments and unnecessary delays.
Ready to Get Started?
Fast, reliable, transparent notary services in Canberra.
Located near DFAT and embassy districts, we provide the complete authentication service you need with pricing you can trust. Whether you’re applying for an overseas visa, purchasing international property, or conducting business abroad, we’ll ensure your documents are properly notarised and authenticated.
Owen Harris
Canberra-based Notary Public