Legalisations

Legalisations (Authentications and Apostilles)

The Australian government legalises documents by issuing either an apostille or authentication certificate to the original document. We can legalise Australian documents for use overseas (not foreign documents).

Legalisation is the process where we verify the signature, seal or stamp on a document. We compare it to what we have on record. Once we confirm the match, we attach an apostille or authentication certificate to the original document. Ask the receiving foreign authority what they need.

 

Documents we can legalise

We can legalise many types of documents for use overseas. Documents must be Australian public documents. This means documents that are:

• originals issued by an Australian government agency or official
• originals issued by an Australian educational institution
• copies notarised by an Australian Notary Public

We can only legalise private documents once they have been notarised by an Australian Notary Public. If a document is notarised, it becomes a 'public document'. Please visit Smartraveller for more information on the types of public documents we can legalise.

 

Prepare your documents for legalisation overseas

1. Ask the overseas (foreign) authority which documents they need. Ask them which ones you must also get legalised. Consulate staff cannot advise clients of foreign requirements.
2. Find out if you will need either an apostille or an authentication for your documents. Consulate staff cannot advise.
3. Confirm the documents are eligible for legalising by DFAT. If in doubt, contact us first.
4. If your documents are not eligible as-is, you may need to get them notarised first. Find a Notary Public in Australia. Send your document to them. Once notarised, we can legalise it.
5. Gather your documents. Check if there are any special requirements for your type of document.

 

Is an appointment required?

Most legalisations can be completed by mail (excluding, digital documents only accessible via an online portal).

 

How to provide your documents by mail:

• Print and Complete the Notarial Services Request and Payment Form. 
• AFP digital certificate: Can be processed by mail. Forward us the original email from the AFP with the digital certificate link and the Notarial Services Request and Payment Form.

 

Processing times are 2 business days. Your documents can either be mailed to you (Swiss address only - postage fees apply) or arrange to collect when the documents are ready (by appointment only).

Important: If you require us to legalise a digital document, accessible via an online portal, you must come to an in-person appointment.

 

How to book an appointment?

All notarial appointments are held in Geneva only (not Bern) on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. The current waiting time for an appointment is 1-2 weeks - please advise us if your request is urgent.

Appointments can only be made by sending an email to: [email protected] (click this email link to auto-populate the below required information in your email).

Please provide the following in your email:

1. Title your email subject with: “Last name”, “First Name” – Notarial Appointment
2. Your full name, contact phone number and email address
3. The full name of anyone else requiring the same service
4. Preferred 'day' (Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday) and ‘time’ (morning/afternoon preference)
5. Where you will be coming from
6. Specific details of the notarial service you require: Full instructions from the requesting authority must be provided before an appointment can be scheduled. Please attach these details to your appointment request email.

 

Electronic Documents

If your original document is electronic, you must provide your document in its original electronic form. DFAT can only issue an Authentication or Apostille certificate on a copy we have printed ourselves directly from the source. You will be asked to log in to the online portal while at an in-person appointment to prove the authenticity of the document or ask the issuing authority to send the document directly to us before your appointment. Scanned copies are not electronic documents for our purposes and cannot be accepted.

• More information can be found on Smartraveller: Documents we can legalise

 

Educational Documents

Special rules apply to the legalisation of educational documents. More information can be found on Smartraveller: Documents we can legalise