Question 1

What is a Notary Public?

Accepted Answer

A Notary Public is a public officer appointed by the High Court of Hong Kong with the power to draw, attest or authenticate documents and instruments under signature and seal.

Question 2

Can you notarise documents for use in Mainland China?

Accepted Answer

No. Hong Kong Notaries Public are not authorised to notarise documents for use in Mainland China. Documents destined for Mainland China must be attested by a China-Appointed Attesting Officer (CAAO). Contact us and we will guide you to the appropriate service.

Question 3

What is an apostille?

Accepted Answer

In Hong Kong, an apostille is a certificate issued by the High Court of Hong Kong that authenticates the signature and seal of a Notary Public, making the notarised document valid in countries that are signatories to the Hague Apostille Convention (1961). We can assist with obtaining an apostille for your notarised documents.

Question 4

What is the difference between notarisation, apostille, and legalisation?

Accepted Answer

Notarisation is the authentication of a document by a Notary Public who verifies signatures and identities. Apostille is a certification issued by the Hong Kong High Court that authenticates the Notary's signature and seal, making the document valid in Hague Convention countries (over 120 countries). Legalisation is additional authentication by the embassy or consulate of the destination country, required for non-Hague Convention countries. We can assist with all three stages.

Question 5

Can you arrange apostille or legalisation services?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We can arrange apostille certification through the Hong Kong High Court, as well as consular legalisation where required for non-Hague Convention countries.

Question 6

Which countries accept apostilled documents from Hong Kong?

Accepted Answer

China is a party to the Hague Apostille Convention, and as Hong Kong is a part of China apostilled documents from Hong Kong are recognised in all Convention member countries, including the UK, USA, Canada, Australia, Singapore, and most European nations. For India, Kosovo and non-Convention countries, consular legalisation is required instead.

Question 7

What documents do I need to bring?

Accepted Answer

Please bring the original documents requiring notarisation, along with a valid government-issued photo identification (Hong Kong Identity Card or passport). For corporate documents, please also bring company seals and chops.

Question 8

How do I make an appointment?

Accepted Answer

You can make an appointment by emailing aron@awinotary.com. Alternatively, you may visit our office at Room 904, 9/F., 8 Queen's Road East, Wan Chai, Hong Kong during business hours. We recommend booking in advance to ensure availability.

Question 9

What is the turnaround time for notarisation?

Accepted Answer

Most notarisations are completed during your appointment and you will leave with your notarised documents. If your documents also require an apostille from the Hong Kong High Court, this typically takes an additional 2-4 business days. Consular legalisation may take longer depending on the embassy or consulate involved.

Question 10

What are your fees?

Accepted Answer

Our fees depend on the type and number of documents, as well as any additional services such as apostille or legalisation. We provide a clear, fixed fee quote before your appointment — there are no hidden charges. For an accurate quote, please send us a scan or photo of your documents by email, and we will respond promptly with our fee and the expected timeframe.

Question 11

Can I have my documents notarised if I am not in Hong Kong?

Accepted Answer

No. Hong Kong law requires documents to be signed in the physical presence of the notary within Hong Kong, so remote or video notarisation is not permitted. If you are outside Hong Kong, you can engage a Notary Public or equivalent in your current jurisdiction, or arrange for a trusted representative in Hong Kong to act on your behalf via a power of attorney.

Question 12

Should I sign my documents before coming to the appointment?

Accepted Answer

No — please do not sign your documents in advance. The notary must witness your signature, so all documents requiring your signature must be signed in the notary's physical presence.