Since Australia joined the Hague Apostille Convention, the process for authenticating documents for use overseas has changed significantly. If you need to use an Australian document in another country — or an overseas document in Australia — understanding how to get an apostille in Australia is now essential. This guide covers the complete process, including when you need a translation alongside your apostille, what documents are eligible, and how the process works step by step.
What Is an Apostille?
An apostille is an international certification that authenticates the origin of a public document. It was established by the Hague Convention Abolishing the Requirement of Legalisation for Foreign Public Documents (commonly known as the Apostille Convention), which aims to simplify the process of using official documents across international borders.
Before the apostille system, getting a document recognised overseas often required a lengthy chain of certifications — from the issuing authority, to a government department, to the embassy or consulate of the destination country. The apostille replaces this multi-step process with a single, standardised certificate that is recognised by all member countries.
Australia's accession to the Apostille Convention means that Australian public documents can now be authenticated with an apostille issued by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), and this apostille will be recognised by all other member countries without further legalisation.
Which Documents Can Receive an Apostille?
Not all documents are eligible for an apostille. The Apostille Convention applies only to public documents, which include:
- Court documents — Judgments, orders, and other documents issued by courts and tribunals
- Administrative documents — Documents issued by government departments and agencies, including birth certificates, marriage certificates, death certificates, and police clearances
- Notarial acts — Documents certified or authenticated by a Notary Public
- Official certificates on private documents — Such as a notarial certification on a private contract or a court registration of a company document
Private documents on their own — such as personal letters, contracts not bearing an official certification, or untreated translations — are generally not eligible for an apostille. However, once a private document has been notarised (certified by a Notary Public), the notarised version becomes eligible.
The Step-by-Step Process
Here is how to get an apostille in Australia, broken down into clear steps:
Step 1: Determine whether you need an apostille
First, confirm with the receiving party overseas whether they require an apostille. Not all countries are members of the Apostille Convention, and some may have bilateral agreements with Australia that use a different authentication process.
Step 2: Obtain the original document
You will need the original public document (or a certified copy, depending on the document type and DFAT's requirements). For Australian-issued documents like birth certificates, order a fresh copy from the relevant state registry if your existing copy is old or damaged.
Step 3: Get any necessary translations
If the document is in a language other than English, you will likely need a NAATI certified translation. Even if the apostille itself relates to the original document, many receiving parties will also want a certified English translation. Our translations start from $80 with standard delivery in 24 to 48 hours.
Step 4: Consider notarisation
Depending on the document and the destination country's requirements, you may need the document notarised by a Notary Public before applying for the apostille. The Notary Public certifies the document and affixes their seal, after which the notarised document is eligible for an apostille. For more on this, see our guide on certified vs notarised translation in Australia.
Step 5: Apply for the apostille through DFAT
Submit your application to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. This can be done by post or in person at DFAT offices. You will need to provide:
- The original document (or notarised copy)
- A completed application form
- The applicable fee
- A return envelope if applying by post
Step 6: Receive your apostilled document
DFAT will review the document and, if everything is in order, attach the apostille certificate. This certificate includes a standardised set of information identifying the document, the authority that issued it, and the DFAT officer who authenticated it.
Apostille and Translation: How They Work Together
Understanding how to get an apostille in Australia often involves understanding the relationship between apostilles and translations. Here are the key points:
- The apostille authenticates the original document — It does not authenticate the translation. The apostille confirms that the public document is genuine, not that a translation of it is accurate.
- Translations may need separate authentication — If the receiving party requires a certified translation with its own authentication, the translation may need to be notarised separately and potentially apostilled as well.
- NAATI certification stands on its own for Australian purposes — Within Australia, a NAATI certified translation does not require an apostille. The NAATI endorsement is sufficient. Apostilles are relevant only when documents are crossing international borders.
We handle translations that frequently accompany apostille applications, including birth certificates, marriage certificates, police clearances, academic transcripts, and corporate documents across languages such as Arabic translation, Chinese translation, Greek translation, Italian translation, Portuguese translation, Serbian translation, Croatian translation, and Macedonian translation.
Common Questions About Apostilles
- How long does the apostille process take? — DFAT processing times vary but are typically within a few business days for standard applications. Urgent processing may be available for an additional fee.
- How much does an apostille cost? — DFAT charges a fee per document. Check the current schedule on the DFAT website as fees are updated periodically.
- Can I get an apostille for a document from another country? — No. Australian DFAT can only apostille documents originating from Australian authorities. For overseas documents, you need to apply to the competent authority in the country that issued the document.
- Do all countries accept apostilles? — Only countries that are members of the Hague Apostille Convention accept them. For non-member countries, the traditional legalisation process through embassies and consulates still applies.
With over 10 years of NAATI experience, we provide the certified translations you need to support your apostille applications. All our translations are accepted by all Australian government departments. For background on certification, see our guide on what NAATI certification is in Australia. If you also need a birth certificate translated, our article on birth certificate translation in Australia covers the specific requirements.