FAQ

In Australia, an official translation must be performed by a translator accredited by NAATI (National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters).

Our translations include the translator's NAATI stamp, certification statement, and signature. This ensures acceptance by Australian courts, the Department of Home Affairs, universities, and other government bodies.

For translations, usually no. A high-quality scan or photo is sufficient for us to produce the translation. The NAATI stamp certifies that the translation is a true reflection of the document provided.

However, if you require an Apostille or DFAT authentication, we do need the original physical document.

Most standard documents (birth certificates, licences, diplomas) are completed within 1-2 business days. We also offer an express service for urgent requirements. Complex legal contracts may take longer depending on word count.

An Apostille is a simplified form of legalisation used for countries that are signatories to the Hague Apostille Convention. It is a certificate issued by DFAT that verifies the signature and seal on an Australian public document.

Once an Apostille is attached, the document is automatically accepted in all other Hague Convention countries (e.g., France, Italy, Japan, UK) without further embassy legalisation.

If the destination country is not a signatory (e.g., China, UAE, Vietnam), the document must undergo Full Authentication.

This is a multi-step process: 1. Authentication by DFAT. 2. Legalisation by the relevant country's Embassy or Consulate in Australia. We handle this entire chain for you.

No. DFAT can only Apostille original Australian Government-issued documents (like Birth Certificates or AFP Checks) that bear an official signature or seal.

Private documents (like Power of Attorney, company resolutions, or copies of degrees) must first be notarised by an Australian Notary Public before DFAT will accept them. We can arrange this notarisation for you.

An Apostille Certificate is an official government certificate that verifies the signature or seal of a public official on a document.

In Australia, a Notary Public is authorised to witness signatures and certify documents for international use. Once notarised, a document may be eligible for apostille or legalisation.

An Apostille confirms that the signature or seal is genuine and that the person signing the document had the authority to do so. It does not certify the contents of the document.

An Apostille Certificate is a square certificate, approximately 9 cm in size, that is usually stamped on the reverse side of a single-page public document. If the document contains multiple pages, or there is not enough space on the reverse side, the certificate is attached using green notarial ribbon so the documents become one bound set.

The certificate contains numbered sections that allow the certified information to be easily identified by authorities in other countries, regardless of the issuing country's language. It is also dated, numbered, officially registered, and bears the seal of the government department that issued it.

The authenticity of an Apostille can be verified by contacting the government department that issued and registered the certificate. When a public document consists of several pages, the pages are securely bound together with green notarial ribbon or tape, with the Apostille certificate attached on a separate sheet.

We can assist with obtaining an Apostille for a variety of documents, including:

• Birth certificates
• Marriage certificates
• Death certificates
• Criminal record checks (Police checks)
• University and academic documents
• Powers of attorney
• Court documents
• Corporate documents
• Notarised documents

Australian educational documents are not considered public documents and cannot be apostilled or legalised unless they have been properly certified.

If a university or tertiary institution does not provide an online verification service, the document must first be certified and signed by the Student Administration Office of the issuing university as a "true and accurate record" before it can be submitted to DFAT for an Apostille or Authentication Certificate. You will need to contact your university to arrange this certification.

If you are unable to attend your university, we can assist with the verification and notarisation process. By providing the original degree, testamur, or academic transcript, we can arrange verification and notarise the document on your behalf.

Documents issued by private tertiary institutions must be notarised by a Notary Public before they can be submitted to DFAT for authentication or apostille.

Public primary or secondary school documents must first be signed by an authorised officer of the relevant State or Territory education authority before submission to DFAT.

Documents issued by private schools must be notarised by a Notary Public before being lodged with DFAT.

Certificates issued by a Board of Studies must be reissued and signed by an authorised officer of the relevant State or Territory Board before they can be apostilled or authenticated.

Educational documents may include:

• University or tertiary degrees
• Diplomas and certificates
• Academic transcripts
• TAFE or trade certificates and transcripts
• Higher School or matriculation certificates
• Secondary school reports or principal's statements

No. Apostilles can only be issued for original documents that are in good condition, or for copies that have been certified by an Australian Notary Public. In certain circumstances, digitally issued certificates may also be accepted.

Standard processing typically takes 7 to 14 business days, depending on DFAT's current workload and the type of document being processed. Express or urgent services may be available upon request for an additional fee.

Yes. We assist clients throughout Australia, including Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, and regional areas. Simply send your documents to us by post, and we will manage the process on your behalf.

Yes. We regularly assist clients who are based outside Australia and need their Australian documents apostilled or legalised. You may courier or post your documents to our office, but please contact us beforehand to confirm the process.