Can a Justice of the Peace or Solicitor witness my signature or certify my document for use overseas?

Only Australian notaries public can certify documents for overseas use, especially if they require an Apostille or Authentication Certificate. JPs and solicitors may sign locally, but additional notarisation may still be necessary.

What exactly is an Apostille Certificate?

An Apostille Certificate is an official stamp issued by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) that verifies the authenticity of a document for use in countries that are parties to the Hague Convention.

What does an Apostille Certificate look like?

An Apostille is a certificate attached to your document in a square format. It features the DFAT seal, a reference number, and signatures verifying its origin. It's printed in English and follows the Hague Convention format.

Why do I need an Apostille Certificate?

You need an Apostille Certificate when presenting Australian documents in countries that are members of the Hague Apostille Convention to confirm they are genuine and legally recognised abroad.

Australian educational documents… Can they be legalised or apostilled?

Degrees, transcripts, and other academic documents from recognised Australian institutions can be apostilled or authenticated, provided they are correctly certified or verified by the issuing institution.

What is an Authentication Certificate?

DFAT issues an authentication certificate for documents intended for non-Hague countries. It verifies the signature or seal on a document before it is authenticated by the consulate or by the foreign embassy.

Which countries do and do not recognise Apostille Certificates?

Countries that are parties to the Hague Apostille Convention accept Apostille Certificates. Non-member countries (e.g., UAE, China, Vietnam) require authentication and embassy legalisation instead.

What type of document can be authenticated by an Apostille Certificate?

Public documents, such as Australian birth and marriage certificates, court orders, police checks, academic records, notarial acts, and company documents, can be authenticated with an Apostille if required for use overseas.

I have multiple public, company/commercial, or educational documents. Do I need multiple Apostille Certificates?

Each document usually requires its own Apostille Certificate. Bundling is not allowed unless the documents are officially bound and recognised as a single unit.

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