Australia
Apostille in Australia
At a glance
Who issues apostilles in Australia, and what does it cost?
| Uses apostilles? | Uses apostilles1 |
|---|---|
| Member since | 1 |
| How it joined | Joined later (accession), 1 |
| Who issues apostilles | Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), original Australian public documents issued by a government authority, and private documents after an Australian notary public has notarised them2 |
| Fee | A$105 (per apostille or authentication)2checked 18 October 2026 About €64.93 for the first fee listed, at the European Central Bank reference rate of 16 October 2026. Compare costs |
| Processing time | Not published by the office2checked 18 October 2026 |
| Online register to check apostilles | Available (check an apostille)2 |
| Documents covered | 2 kinds of document listed by the office |
| What the receiving side decides | Whether it accepts the document: for example how recent it must be and whether it needs a translation. |
| Last checked |
Step by step
How to get an apostille in Australia
Ask the overseas authority which documents it needs legalised, because DFAT cannot tell you whether you must have it.2
Check that DFAT can legalise your document and whether you need an apostille or an authentication certificate.2
If the document is not an original Australian public document, have an Australian notary public notarise it first.2
Fill in the Document Legalisation Request Form, signed and dated, and submit it with the documents by mail or in person.3
In person, book an appointment online or hand in the documents at an Australian Passport Office, and pay the fee with a credit or debit card; several documents can be lodged in one appointment.3
DFAT adds the certificate directly on the document and returns it; bring a self-addressed registered post envelope if you want it returned by mail.2
Documents
Common documents
As listed by the office:
Contacts
Who to contact in Australia
- Apostille officeDepartment of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT)2Original Australian public documents issued by a government authority, and private documents after an Australian notary public has notarised themlegalisations.australia@dfat.gov.au
- The office that will receive your documentAsk it before you start what it needs: an apostille, a translation, or a document issued recently.
Common situations
Using a document from or in Australia
A document issued in Australia
The apostille comes from Australia, from the office named above. It works in any other country where the Convention applies with Australia.
Check where it can be usedA document for use in Australia
Get the apostille in the country that issued the document, not in Australia. Australia accepts it if that country is also a member and the Convention applies between the two.
Check your countryGood to know
Good to know
Note: Rule
DFAT can only legalise Australian public documents and cannot legalise any other documents in Australia.2
Note: Rule
The apostille or authentication certificate is applied directly to the document.3
Before the apostille
Private documents
A private document, such as a power of attorney or a contract, is first signed in front of a notary public, and the apostille then goes on the notary’s certificate. A copy of a public document from another country is first certified by a notary public, then apostilled.
An apostille only confirms the signature, the role of the person who signed and any seal or stamp on the document. It does not confirm what the document says. The office that receives the document decides what it accepts.
Questions
Questions about apostilles in Australia
Does Australia accept apostilles?
Yes. Australia has been a member of the Apostille Convention since 16 March 1995, so it issues and accepts apostilles for documents exchanged with other member countries.
Who issues apostilles in Australia?
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) (original Australian public documents issued by a government authority, and private documents after an Australian notary public has notarised them).
How much does an apostille cost in Australia?
A$105 (per apostille or authentication). Fees can change, so check the office’s own page before you apply.
How long does an apostille take in Australia?
The office does not publish a processing time (checked 18 October 2026).
Do I need to notarise a private document first?
Yes. A private document, such as a power of attorney or a contract, is first signed in front of a notary public. The apostille is then added to the notary’s certificate, not to the private document itself.
Is an apostille valid in countries that are not Convention members?
No. An apostille only works in other member countries. Countries outside the Convention use a different process, usually called legalisation. The office that receives your document decides what it accepts.
Sources and verification
Sources
- HCCH status table: Apostille Convention (1961)
- Notarial services in Australia
- How to get your documents legalised
- Status
- Last verified: (18 October 2026)
- How it was checked
- Checked by our team against the sources above
- Next review
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