A Justice of the Peace certifies copies and witnesses documents for free, and is often fine for use in New Zealand. A Notary Public is a lawyer who performs formal notarial acts, and many documents going overseas need one before they can be apostilled. A JP certification is refused in those cases. We tell you which one your document needs, book the notary for you if it needs one, and handle the apostille and delivery.
JP vs Notary Public, side by side
| Justice of the Peace | Notary Public | |
|---|---|---|
| Who they are | A community volunteer appointed by the Governor-General | An experienced lawyer with a separate appointment to perform notarial acts |
| Cost | Free | Professional fee |
| Certified copies for NZ use | Yes, where accepted | Yes |
| Documents going overseas | Only if the overseas office accepts a JP | Yes, this is what notaries are for |
| Before an apostille, where notarisation is required | Refused | Required |
Staying in New Zealand, or going overseas?
If your document is for a New Zealand bank, school, employer or agency and they accept a JP, that's usually all you need, and it's free.
If it's going overseas, it's a different story. Whether it needs a notary, a JP, a new certificate or nothing at all depends on the document and the country, and getting it wrong means a refused document and weeks lost. That's where we come in: tell us the document and the country and we'll tell you exactly what it needs before you spend anything.
Is a lawyer the same as a notary?
No. Every Notary Public in New Zealand is a lawyer, but most lawyers are not notaries. If the instructions say "notarised", an ordinary lawyer's certification will be refused.
Mistakes that cost money
- Getting a JP certification when the instructions say "notarised"
- Paying a notary for a document that didn't need one
- Assuming any lawyer can notarise
- Confusing notarisation with an apostille: the apostille comes after
When you need a notary, we arrange everything
We book an independent Notary Public, tell you exactly what to bring and whether to sign beforehand, then take the notarised document on through the apostille or authentication and deliver it. One contact, and one all-in quote that includes the notary's fee. See Notary + Apostille.
A JP is not enough for every office. The Philippine Embassy, for example, refuses JP-witnessed forms: see Philippine Embassy affidavits need a Notary Public. A power of attorney for India also needs a notary and apostille.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a JP and a Notary Public in NZ?
A JP is a free community volunteer who certifies copies and witnesses documents, mainly for New Zealand use. A Notary Public is an experienced lawyer who performs formal notarial acts, mainly for documents going overseas, and charges a fee.
Can a JP notarise a document in NZ?
No. Only a Notary Public can notarise. A JP can certify copies and witness signatures where that is accepted.
Does DIA accept a JP certification for an apostille?
Not where DIA requires a document to be notarised. In those cases it has to be a Notary Public. We tell you whether yours is one of them and book the notary if needed.
How much does a Notary Public cost in NZ?
Notaries set their own fees. When we arrange the notary for you, it is included in one all-in quote with the apostille and delivery, before anything is booked.
Is every lawyer a Notary Public?
No. Notaries are lawyers with a separate appointment. Most lawyers are not notaries.
Do I need a notary for a birth certificate apostille?
Not usually. Some documents need a notary, some need a new certificate and some need neither. Tell us the document and country and we will tell you, free.
NZ Document Assist Limited is an independent company, not a government agency. We are not a law firm, Notary Public or licensed immigration adviser and do not give legal or immigration advice.