Barry Ching
Notary Public
Rangiora | North Canterbury | Christchurch
What is a Notary Public?
A notary public is a legal officer of ancient standing. Notaries date back to Roman times and, perhaps, earlier.
A New Zealand notary is an experienced lawyer who has been granted a faculty by the Crown Office in Chancery, London, United Kingdom, to provide notarial services and has been sworn in before a New Zealand High Court judge.
A notary is normally concerned with the authorisation of documents and certification of signatures in relation to documents to be used overseas.
The notary will complete a certificate known as a notarial certificate. The notary will sign and affix a seal to the certificate which indicates to the authorities in the destination country that the relevant checks and formalities have been carried out. This is a formal procedure and the certificate will be relied upon throughout the world. A notarial certificate is amongst the highest level of certification you can receive from a lawyer or public official.
The seal of the notary is personal to that notary and unique which further ensures authenticity.
What do Notaries do?
When a document is required to be notarised the signature of a solicitor or Justice of the Peace is not sufficient as neither has the required authority.
Documents which require notarising are many and include:
Powers of attorney
Affidavits and declarations
Educational documents
Transfers of land
Immigration
Business and company
Wills and estates
Banking
What is an Apostille?
In some cases once a document has been notarised further authentication is required by the overseas authority which will be receiving the document by the Department of Internal Affairs in Wellington affixing to the document an Apostille. The Apostille certifies that the notary’s signature and seal on the notarial act are genuine and the person who signed the notarial act is indeed a notary.
Further authentication by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the requisite foreign embassy may also be necessary.
For further information visit the Department of Internal Affairs website.
About Barry
I am a lawyer with 40 years’ experience in legal practice. I am a member of the New Zealand Society of Notaries and as a notary I am bound by the rules of conduct and competency of that Society. I am also a member of the New Zealand Law Society.
I work from my home in Swannanoa, North Canterbury. All clients will be warmly welcomed by my friendly whippet, Louie.
Appointments are essential but same day, evening and weekend appointments may be available.