Get a document witnessed, certified or authenticated

You might need to give the court a witnessed, authenticated or Apostille certified document or a certified copy of a document.

Get a document witnessed

Some court documents, such as affidavits and affirmations, need to be witnessed by an authorised person to confirm the document is true and accurate.

You might be told who needs to witness the document. If the document is an affidavit or affirmation, you will probably need to ask a:

• Justice of the Peace
• Solicitor of the High Court
• Notary Public (there may be a cost)
• Deputy Registrar at a court (not all courts will be able to certify copies)

Get a copy certified

You might need to give the court a certified copy of a document. A certified copy is a photocopy that has been stamped or endorsed by a person who confirms that the copy is a true copy of the original document.

You might be told who needs to certify the copy. They will probably be a:

• Justice of the Peace
• Solicitor of the High Court
• Notary Public (there may be a cost)
• Deputy Registrar at a court (not all courts will be able to certify copies)

Get a document authenticated or Apostille certified

Find out about document authentication and Apostille certification on the Department of Internal Affairs website(external link)