Notarial Services – Witnessing Signatures and Certifying Documents

The Notarial section is open from 9.30 - 11.30 am Monday to Friday only at Australia House on the Strand, London. We are not open on Australian or British public holidays. We do not operate an appointment system

Our Edinburgh Office does not provide notarial services.

Consular officials at the Australian High Commission in London are authorized to perform certain notarial acts, these include:

• Certifying copies of original documents - the original document must be present to be sighted. There is no need to bring copies, copies will be done by us.
• Witnessing of signatures on certain documents
• Witnessing of signatures on Notice of Intended Marriage forms
• Witnessing powers of attorney
• Administration of oaths and affirmations
• Taking of statutory declarations - to download a blank Statutory Declaration form click here
• Authenticating original Australian documents - this is not the equivalent to an Apostille
• Witnessing signatures and documents for renewing Australian driver's licenses

Please bring suitable photographic identification, eg. your passport.

Note that Apostilles, cannot be performed overseas, these have to be performed in Australia. If you require an Apostille or more information on obtaining an Apostille please visit the Department of Foreign Affairs Smartraveller website for more information.

Also note that some services, such as signing mortgage documents or powers of attorney, may require a longer wait as specific staff are required for these acts and are not always available straight away.

Also note that we cannot endorse photos for Australian Medical Council applications. You may wish to seek this service from a UK Notary Public.

Under the Consular Fees Act of 1995, fees are charged for these services. Our fees are updated monthly against the current exchange rate. There is no need to contact our office to confirm fees;

Payments can be made by credit/debit card, Postal Order or cash (pounds sterling). We do not accept bank cheques.

Please follow this link to our current fees.

Documents can also be posted to our office to be certified.

It is recommended that you send your documents by special delivery and include a self addressed special delivery return envelope. Payment can be made by a Postal Order made out to the Australian High Commission or by a credit/debit card using the following Payment Authorisation slip (pdf) or Payment Authorisation slip (Word Doc).

We do not accept bank or personal cheques.

Our address is;

Consular Office
Australian High Commission
Strand
London WC2B 4LA

Please note that if require your signature witnessed you cannot send these by post.

You will need to present at the High Commission in London to have a signature witnessed.

Contact the Consular Office via e-mail for Consular enquiries only.