Getting an apostille in Melbourne
What an apostille is, which documents need a notary first, and how to lodge with DFAT.
On this page: Common questions Enquire
What an apostille is
An apostille is a certificate from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) that verifies a signature and seal on an official Australian document. Countries that have joined the Hague Apostille Convention accept it without any further step by their embassy. Australia has been part of the Convention since 16 March 1995.
Apostille or authentication?
Which certificate DFAT issues depends on the destination country.
- Apostille: for a country that has joined the Convention. That country may not ask for any further legalisation.
- Authentication: for a country outside the Convention. DFAT authenticates the document, and that country’s embassy or consulate in Australia then adds its legalisation. Some then require a further legalisation by their foreign ministry.
| Country | Certificate needed | Convention in force |
|---|---|---|
| Poland | Apostille | 14 August 2005 |
| United Kingdom | Apostille | 24 January 1965 |
| United States | Apostille | 15 October 1981 |
| India | Apostille | 14 July 2005 |
| Philippines | Apostille | 14 May 2019 |
| China (mainland) | Apostille | 7 November 2023 |
| United Arab Emirates | Authentication, then embassy legalisation | Not a party |
The Hague Conference publishes the full list of member countries. If yours is not on it, the document needs an authentication.
Check with the receiving body first
DFAT will not tell you what another country needs, and an apostille does not guarantee that a document will be accepted. Before the appointment, get the overseas recipient to confirm in writing:
- whether it wants an apostille;
- what format it expects;
- whether it needs a translation;
- how recent the document must be.
Which documents DFAT accepts
DFAT legalises only Australian public documents:
- originals issued by Australian government agencies or officials, such as a birth certificate from Births, Deaths and Marriages;
- originals issued by Australian universities, once the university has verified them (for example with its verification stamp, a My eQuals copy, or an email from the university to DFAT);
- copies notarised by an Australian notary public.
Anything else must be notarised first, such as a signature on a power of attorney or declaration, a copy of your passport, a contract or a company record. Notarising turns a private document into one DFAT can accept.
DFAT cannot legalise a document certified by a justice of the peace.
Documents that cannot be apostilled
- documents issued by diplomatic or consular officers;
- administrative documents dealing directly with commercial or customs operations;
- foreign education documents, even if an Australian notary has certified a copy;
- scanned copies;
- marriage certificates issued by a celebrant (only the certificate issued by a State or Territory registry can be legalised).
Step by step
Lodging with DFAT
- In person: book an appointment at the Australian Passport Office in Melbourne.
- By post: send the request form and documents by registered post to the Australian Passport Office Authentications Section, GPO Box 2239, Melbourne VIC 3001, with a self-addressed registered post envelope for the return.
- DFAT’s fee: $105 for each apostille or authentication. DFAT increases it with the CPI on 1 January each year, and takes payment by card.
- Through us: we can take care of the lodgement once the notarial work is done.
Details are on DFAT’s Smartraveller notarial services page.
How long it takes
DFAT does not publish a fixed turnaround. It is slower at the end of the school year and in holiday periods, and incomplete requests are sent back. Mention any overseas deadline in your first email, so we can plan around it.
Anyone can check an Australian apostille on DFAT’s online “Verify an apostille” service.
Common questions
Can’t see your question? Call 1800 776 529 or send us a message.
No. DFAT cannot legalise documents certified by a JP. The copy must be certified by a notary.
Not if you lodge the original certificate issued by Births, Deaths and Marriages. A copy of it needs a notary first.
No. Foreign education documents cannot be apostilled in Australia, even as a notarised copy. Ask the receiving body, or the country that issued the degree, what it accepts.
Ask the person who asked for the document. Requirements for Australian documents differ between UK bodies, so get them in writing.
Our notarial fee, DFAT’s fee for each certificate, and any embassy or translation fees. We quote before you book. See fees.
Book a notary appointment
Tell us about the document and where it is going. We reply within one business day with what it needs and a quote.
What happens next
- Send the form, or email the document.
- We reply within one business day with what is needed and a quote.
- We book a time at our Frankston office.
Phone: 1800 776 529
Email: info@frankstonnotary.com.au
Hours: Monday to Friday, 9 am to 5:30 pm
Office: 435 Nepean Highway, Frankston VIC 3199. Notarial appointments are at the office only.