The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) provides some notarial services in Australia. We deliver these services by mail and in person at Australian Passport Offices.
Documents submitted by mail – Change effective from 1 May 2024
From 1 May 2024, if you’re submitting your documents for legalisation by mail, you can choose to send them to either the Melbourne or Sydney Passport Office address. Our other passport offices will no longer accept documents by mail.
You must send your forms and original documents via registered post to either the Sydney or Melbourne Passport Office, the addresses for which are provided below.
Explore this page for information about:
- how to find out if you need your document legalised
- which documents we can legalise in Australia
- how to request our notarial services in Australia
This page is for people who need a document legalised in Australia, to use overseas. If you're already overseas, see notarial services overseas.
Do I need to get my documents legalised?
DFAT can't tell you if you must get your documents legalised. You must ask the overseas authority who requested your document.
This means contacting the individual, business, organisation, educational institution or government agency directly. Ask them if you must get your document legalised before they'll accept it.
Documents we can legalise in Australia
We can only legalise Australian public documents:
- originals issued by Australian government agencies or officials
- originals issued by Australian tertiary education institutions
- copies notarised by Australian Notary Publics
We can't legalise any other documents in Australia.
Learn more about documents we can legalise.
For more information or advice about notarial services, email legalisations.australia@dfat.gov.au or contact us online.
How to get your documents legalised in Australia
Step 1: Prepare your documents
Follow these steps before you request our services.
- Ask the overseas authority which documents you need legalised. DFAT can't advise you what you need legalised to use in another country.
- Confirm the documents are eligible for legalising by DFAT.
- Find out if you'll need either an apostille or an authentication for your documents.
- Gather your documents.
- If your document is not an original Australian public document, take it to an Australian Notary Public to be notarised.
Step 2: Request our services in Australia
We can legalise your documents in Australia by mail or in person.
To request our services, complete the Document legalisation request form.
It's important that you prepare your documents and complete the request form accurately. We don't accept incomplete requests.
Check what documents we will accept.
Step 3: Submit your documents
Option 1: Make an appointment, submit in person
You can submit your documents and forms at any Australian Passport Office. You must make an appointment before attending. Someone can attend on your behalf.
To make an appointment online please select the office that you would like to attend:
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) uses third-party software (Setmore) to manage appointments. Your personal information (including your name and contact details) will be collected by DFAT via Setmore to book your appointment and for related purposes. By proceeding with this booking, you are consenting to the collection of this information by Setmore on DFAT’s behalf for these purposes. If this information is not collected, DFAT’s ability to arrange your appointment will be limited. Your personal information will be handled by Setmore in accordance with Setmore’s Privacy Policy, and by DFAT in accordance with DFAT’s Privacy Policy.
Before you attend the appointment, make sure you've prepared everything you need. Bring a credit or debit card with you for payment. If you want your legalised documents returned to you by mail, bring a self-addressed registered post envelope.
If you arrive without something you need, we can't process your request. You'll have to make another appointment and come back.
Option 2: Submit by mail
You can post your documents and forms to us.
- Send your forms and original documents via registered post.
- Include your credit card authorisation (you can find this at section 7 of the Document Legalisation request form).
- Include a self-addressed registered post envelope for its safe return.
Keep a copy of both tracking numbers. We don't take responsibility for documents lost in the mail.
Send your application to one of the following addresses:
Australian Passport Office Authentications Section
GPO Box 2239
MELBOURNE VIC 3001
Australian Passport Office Authentications Section
GPO Box 2239
SYDNEY NSW 2001
Pay the fee
- Apostille or authentication: $98
Fees increase in line with the consumer price index (CPI) on 1 January each year.
Step 4: We'll process your request
What we do
Our officers will check the signature and seal on your documents against our database.
We verify the signature or seal by issuing an apostille or authentication certificate directly on the document.
We may have to contact the issuing authority. This could cause a delay. We'll tell you if this happens.
How long it takes
Processing times can vary.
Demand increases at the end of the school year and during peak holiday periods. This cause delays. It takes longer if your request is incomplete, or you haven't paid the fee.
Incomplete requests
We don't accept incomplete requests by mail. We'll return your documents via post with a letter telling you what to do next.
Step 5: We'll return your documents with the apostille or authentication certificate
Once we legalise your documents, you can collect them from the Australian Passport Office. Or, we'll send them back to you in the self-addressed envelope you supplied us earlier.
If are unsure of any of the above information please contact us at legalisations.australia@dfat.gov.au
Read more
- See which documents we can legalise.
- How to request our notarial services overseas.
- How to request a Certificate of No Impediment (CNI) to Marriage.
- See our general advice on travelling with children, overseas adoptions and getting married.
- Understand how and when we can help. Read the Consular Services Charter.
See also
- Contact the embassy or consulate of the country that issued the overseas document (DFAT).
- Verify an Australian issued apostille online (DFAT).
