In New Zealand, copies can be certified by a Justice of the Peace, a lawyer, a court Registrar or a Notary Public, and the organisation receiving the copy decides which it accepts. Documents going overseas are where it gets tricky: many need a Notary Public before they can be apostilled, and a JP or ordinary lawyer's certification is refused. We check what your document needs, book the notary for you and handle the apostille and delivery.
Who certifies documents in NZ
| Certifier | Usually used for | Going overseas with an apostille? |
|---|---|---|
| Justice of the Peace | Certified copies for NZ banks, agencies, universities and courts that accept a JP | Often not accepted |
| Lawyer / solicitor | Certified copies and witnessing where accepted | Often not accepted |
| Court Registrar | Copies and witnessing for court purposes | Often not accepted |
| Notary Public | Documents going overseas and formal notarial acts | Yes, when the document needs notarising |
If your document is staying in New Zealand, check the organisation's instructions. A JP is free and is often all you need. If it's going overseas, talk to us first. Paying for the wrong certification, or having it refused at the apostille stage, costs you time and money.
Doing it yourself vs letting us handle it
| On your own | With NZ Document Assist | |
|---|---|---|
| Who should certify it | Work it out from DIA's rules and the overseas office's instructions | We tell you, based on the document and the country |
| Finding a notary | Ring around for availability and fees | We book the appointment for you |
| What to bring | Hope you have the right pages and ID | We tell you exactly what to bring |
| After the notary | Apply to DIA for the apostille yourself | We lodge it and deliver the finished document |
| If something is wrong | Found out weeks later when it comes back | Caught before anything is lodged |
Certified copy, notarised copy, apostille: what's the difference?
| Term | What it is |
|---|---|
| Certified copy | A copy someone authorised has checked against the original and endorsed as true |
| Notarised copy | A formal act by a Notary Public, with their seal, recognised overseas |
| Apostille | A government certificate that verifies the seal or signature, so the document is accepted in Hague Convention countries |
| Authentication | The equivalent for countries outside the Hague Convention, a longer process |
Common mistakes
- Getting a copy certified before checking who the receiving office accepts
- Assuming a JP copy will work overseas
- Using an ordinary lawyer when the instructions say "notarised"
- Paying to certify a document that should have gone as the original
- Certifying only part of a document that needed every page done
What it costs
Apostille all in from NZ$116, including DIA's government fee and GST. When a notary is needed, we include the appointment in the same all-in quote, so you see one price before any work starts. See pricing.
How it works with us
- Send us the detailsDocument type and the country it's for.
- Get your quoteOne all-in price, including any notary.
- Notary, if neededWe book it and tell you what to bring.
- We deal with DIAApostille lodged, tracked and delivered.
Frequently asked questions
Who can certify documents in NZ?
A Justice of the Peace, a lawyer, a court Registrar or Deputy Registrar, or a Notary Public. The organisation receiving the copy decides which it accepts.
Is it free to get documents certified by a JP?
Yes. JPs certify copies free of charge, and for many uses within New Zealand that is all you need.
Can a JP certify documents for overseas use?
Often not. Many documents going overseas must be notarised by a Notary Public before they can be apostilled, depending on the document and the country. We check yours and book the notary if one is needed.
How much does a Notary Public charge 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, before any work starts.
Does a birth certificate need certifying before an apostille?
Not usually. What a document needs, whether the original, a new certificate or a certified copy, depends on the document and the country. Tell us both and we will tell you exactly what applies.
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.