Services
Notary & Apostille Services
Depending on the formality required by the end-user, all three steps may be necessary. Strictly speaking, they are necessary in every case.
Step One - Notarisation
Our Notary Public services for documents to be used anywhere around the world are:
- Taking oaths and declarations
- Witnessing unsworn documents
- Verification of copy documents
- Notarial certificates for legalising / apostille
- Drawing up documents
Usually the main point of having documents notarised is for the notary to authenticate the person signing them in reference to specific identification such as a passport, national ID card or driver licence. If documents are not notarised properly, they may be unenforceable, voidable or even illegal.
Step Two - Legalisation (Apostille and Authentication)
Following our notarial work, document legalisation by a Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) officer is usually required by the end-user of the notarised documents.
In short, this is a government procedure authenticating our Ross Lee as being a commissioned Notary. Legalisation is either by:
- DFAT Apostille for Hague Convention signatory nations; or
- DFAT Authentication for the other nations.
Step Three - Embassy or Consulate
Some clients will also require final authentication from an Embassy or Consulate of the relevant overseas country.
Depending on the country, this can be after DFAT legalisation or sometimes, instead of it.
Apostille and Authentication
Apostille
Foreign governments sometimes need proof the signatures of Australian officials on documents are genuine before they can be accepted.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), through the Australian Passport Office in your capital city will certify that a signature, stamp or seal on an official Australian public document is genuine by checking it against a specimen held on file, and print or attach a certificate in the form of an ‘authentication’ or an ‘apostille’ stating certain facts.
The authentication or apostille is then signed by DFAT staff and sealed with a wet and a dry seal.
Authentication
Foreign governments sometimes need proof the signatures of Australian officials on documents are genuine before they can be accepted.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), through the Australian Passport Office in your capital city will certify that a signature, stamp or seal on an official Australian public document is genuine by checking it against a specimen held on file, and print or attach a certificate in the form of an ‘authentication’ or an ‘apostille’ stating certain facts.
The authentication or apostille is then signed by DFAT staff and sealed with a wet and a dry seal.
Certificate of No Impediment to Marriage
DFAT cannot provide advice regarding other countries’ specific requirements in order for a marriage to be legal in a particular country.
For details of marriage requirements you should contact the Embassy, High Commission or Consulate of the country in which you would like to marry for their advice.
Refer to Smartraveller for further information regarding Certificates of No Impediment to Marriage including application forms.
Passports
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade issues passports to be used as evidence of identity and citizenship by Australians travelling internationally.
Lodge your passport application at Australia Post. This includes applications for which priority service is requested.
In an emergency you may lodge your application at a Passport Office, but you must first obtain an appointment by calling APIS on 131 232. You will be asked to provide evidence of compassionate or compelling circumstances that warrant urgent passport issue.
For further information, visit the Passports website. If you need assistance, contact the Australian Passport Information Service on 131 232.
Document Legalisations (Apostilles and Authentications) are provided by appointment only, Monday to Friday at DFAT Brisbane, 150 Charlotte Street, Brisbane. Simple legalisation work is done while you wait. Complex work is left with DFAT for collection later.
There may be a wait time of one to two weeks for DFAT Brisbane appointments. To minimise delay, we suggest you call DFAT immediately after you make the appointment with us. DFAT Brisbane is on (07) 3405 4799.
Alternatively documents can be express-posted or couriered to;
Australian Passport Office Authentications Section
GPO Box 2239
MELBOURNE VIC 3001
The DFAT fee is currently $84 per Apostille or Authentication. Each separate document will probably require Legalisation and incur the fee.
The DFAT Document Legalisation Request Form can be accessed here.
For more information browse the Smart Traveller website here.
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