Apostille and Authentication Services

Apostille and Authentication Services with a Fast Turnaround

After notarising your documents, many countries require a further step before they can be used overseas. Depending on the destination country, your documents will need to be either apostilled or authenticated by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).

Whether a document requires an Apostille or Authentication depends on the country where the document will be used. Countries that are members of the Hague Apostille Convention accept an Apostille. Other countries require Authentication by DFAT and legalisation by their embassy or consulate.

• Apostille – required by countries that are members of the Hague Apostille Convention, including most European, South American and many Asian countries.
• Authentication – required by countries that are not members of the Hague Convention, including a number of Middle Eastern countries.

I can arrange apostille and authentication directly with DFAT on your behalf. I am able to lodge documents directly with DFAT's office, and those documents are given priority processing. 

The turnaround time is typically only a few days, significantly faster than booking a standard DFAT appointment, where waiting times are currently several weeks. This means you can have your documents notarised and apostilled or authenticated all in one streamlined process, with minimal delay.

How the Process Works

1. Notarisation — Your documents are notarised by me as a notary public.
2. Lodgement with DFAT — I lodge the documents directly with DFAT on your behalf using the notary priority lodgement system.
3. Apostille or authentication issued — DFAT processes the documents, typically within a few days.
4. Documents returned to you — Your fully notarised and apostilled or authenticated documents are ready for overseas use.

This end-to-end service means you don't need to deal with DFAT directly or wait weeks for a standard appointment.

Why Use This Service?

DFAT appointments are usually booked several weeks in advance. Through the notary direct lodgement system, documents I lodge on your behalf are given priority processing, with a typical turnaround of only a few days.

This service is ideal for clients who:

• Need documents apostilled or authenticated urgently
• Want a simple, managed process from start to finish
• Are unsure whether they need an apostille or authentication

Countries that Accept an Apostille*

The Hague Apostille Convention simplifies the process of certifying documents for use overseas by replacing traditional consular legalisation with a single apostille certificate. As of recent data, more than 120 countries are parties to the Convention and accept apostilles issued by other member states

(Members of the Hague Apostille Convention)
*Documents intended for use in the following countries generally only require an Apostille issued by DFAT. It is important to note that this is not an exhaustive list.