The Office and Practice of a Queensland Notary

Discover the Role and Responsibilities of a Queensland Notary Public: An Essential Course for Practitioners

An initiative by the Queensland Society of Notaries during their Centennial year (2022), this microcredential has been developed in partnership with Bond University's Faculty of Law, and Professor Peter Zablud, author of the main text on notarial practice in Australia, Principles of Notarial Practice.

The syllabus has been approved by the Master of Faculties in London, who is the authority responsible for overseeing the administration of Notaries Public appointed by the Archbishop of Canterbury. It is worth, noting that all notaries in Queensland proudly receive their commissions directly from the Archbishop of Canterbury.

This microcredential will introduce practitioners to the office and work of a Queensland Notary Public, including an understanding of notarial acts in public and private form and the notary’s rights, obligations and duties in daily practice.

The course will be delivered as a two-day, interactive. in-person workshop. Practitioners will be assessed on the basis of their active participation in the workshop and completion of a paper following the workshop.

What is a Notary Public?

A Notary Public is a specially qualified legal practitioner who holds a unique public office of trust and fidelity within the legal system and who, among other things, has the internationally recognised power and authority to verify and authenticate original and copy documents for use outside Australia, anywhere in the world.

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  • The course will be delivered as a two-day interactive workshop and you must be available to attend the workshops in-person.

    You will be assessed on the basis of your active participation in the workshop and completion of a paper following the workshop.

    Course outline:

    The course is comprised of 15 modules:

    1. The Office of Notary
    2. The Civil Law Tradition
    3. Introduction to the Notarial Act
    4. Notarial Acts in Authentic Form
    5. Notarial Acts in Private Form
    6. Identification
    7. Oaths, affirmations and declarations
    8. Copy Certification
    9. Authentication of Australian Notarial Acts for production abroad
    10. Professional Conduct
    11. Fees and Costing
    12. Professional Practice
    13. Powers of Attorney
    14. Foreign language documents
    15. Practising in the Digital Environment

    The syllabus for this course has been approved and endorsed by the Master of Faculties in London, who is responsible for the administration of Notaries Public appointed by the Archbishop of Canterbury.

  • Workshop dates:

    • Brisbane: 2-3 August, 2024
    • North Queensland*: 6-7 September, 2024

    *Subject to demand. Location to be confirmed.

  • This course has been designed for:

    • Current Queensland Notaries Public 
    • Legal practitioners seeking admission as a Queensland Notary Public

    Course prerequisites

    Learners should hold a legal qualification, e.g. LLB or JD.

  • Upon completion of the course, you should be able to:

    • Describe the role and responsibilities of a Notary Public, including their duties as a public officer, their obligations to maintain the confidentiality and impartiality of their work, and the types of legal documents they are authorised to notarise.
    • Explain the regulatory framework for notarial practice in Queensland, including the relevant laws and regulations governing the appointment and conduct of Notaries Public, and the procedures for obtaining a Notarial Commission from the Court of Faculties in London.
    • Apply practical skills and techniques for notarial practice, including verifying the identity of signers, administering oaths and affirmations, certifying copies of documents, and notarising deeds and other legal instruments. They will also be familiar with the ethical principles and best practices that govern notarial practice, including the importance of maintaining accurate records, protecting the privacy of clients, and avoiding conflicts of interest.

    Upon successful completion of the workshop and paper, you will: 

    • Earn 12 CPD points as part of your legal practice CLE requirements in Queensland.
    • Receive a digital Certificate of Achievement in recognition of your new skills.
    • Become a Fellow of the Society of Notary Publics Queensland - only applicable to those who are a Notary Public.

The course will be delivered as a two-day interactive workshop and you must be available to attend the workshops in-person.

You will be assessed on the basis of your active participation in the workshop and completion of a paper following the workshop.

Course outline:

The course is comprised of 15 modules:

  1. The Office of Notary
  2. The Civil Law Tradition
  3. Introduction to the Notarial Act
  4. Notarial Acts in Authentic Form
  5. Notarial Acts in Private Form
  6. Identification
  7. Oaths, affirmations and declarations
  8. Copy Certification
  9. Authentication of Australian Notarial Acts for production abroad
  10. Professional Conduct
  11. Fees and Costing
  12. Professional Practice
  13. Powers of Attorney
  14. Foreign language documents
  15. Practising in the Digital Environment

The syllabus for this course has been approved and endorsed by the Master of Faculties in London, who is responsible for the administration of Notaries Public appointed by the Archbishop of Canterbury.

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