Already have what you need?
On this page:
- Before you begin
- Step 1: Prepare your documents
- Step 2: Complete the Document Legalisation Request Form
- Step 3: Choose how you will submit your request
- Step 4: Wait for us to process your request
- Step 5: Receive your legalised documents
Before you begin
Read our advice about the documents we can legalise to understand:
- what legalisation and notarisation involve
- how to know if you need to get your documents legalised
- what documents we can legalise.
Note that we charge a fee for this service. See the full list of fees.
Fees increase in line with the consumer price index (CPI) on 1 January each year.
Step 1: Prepare your documents
Ask the overseas authority which documents they need and which ones you must get legalised. We can't tell you what they may want.
- Confirm the documents are eligible for legalisation by us. See the documents we can legalise.
- Find out whether you need an apostille or an authentication certificate from the intended authority or legal representative.
- If your document is not an original Australian public document, get an Australian Notary Public to notarise it. (What does this mean?)
NOTE: The apostille or authentication certificate is applied directly to your documents. If you do not want your original documents marked, get a notarised copy for us to legalise. Please ensure your overseas authority will accept notarised copies that have been legalised.
Step 2: Complete the Document Legalisation Request Form
To request our services, download and complete the Document Legalisation Request Form.
Please complete all relevant sections of the Document Legalisation Request Form, and that is it signed and dated appropriately.
Only sign the form with an authorised witness watching.
You must prepare your documents and complete the request form accurately. We can't process incomplete requests.
Step 3: Choose how you will submit your request
- Option 1: Submit in Australia by appointment
- Option 2: Submit overseas at an Australian embassy, high commission or consulate
- Option 3: Submit by mail
Option 1: Submit in Australia by appointment
You can submit your request at any Australian Passport Office. You must make an appointment before attending. Someone can attend on your behalf.
Make sure you have everything you need before your appointment. Bring to the appointment:
- your completed Document Legalisation Request Form
- all the documents you want legalised
- a credit or debit card to pay the fee
- a self-addressed registered post envelope, if you want your legalised documents returned to you by mail.
Multiple documents can be lodged using one appointment and one Document Legalisation Request form.
We can't process your request if you don't bring everything you need. You'll have to make another appointment and come back.
We do not accept cash as payment
Choose an office location to make your appointment
Selecting a location will take you to an external booking site.
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.
Option 2: Submit overseas at an Australian embassy, high commission or consulate
You can submit your request in person at many Australian embassies, high commissions, and consulates overseas.
Some embassies, high commissions, and consulates can only provide limited services. They may also only provide the service at certain times.
Their website may have information about their services, or you can call them to find out:
- which services they can and can't provide
- what their service hours are
- if you need to make an appointment.
Be aware that consulates operated by an Honorary Consul don't provide legalisation services.
If your nearest embassy, high commission or consulate can't legalise your documents, you can send them to Australia for processing. See how to submit by mail.
Find out how to contact your nearest Australian embassy, high commission or consulate.
Option 3: Submit by mail
You can post your documents and forms to us by registered post. You will need to use an international envelope if you are located overseas and mailing your documents to Australia.
In your envelope, include:
- your completed Document Legalisation Request Form
- your credit card authorisation to pay the fee (you can find this in section 7 of the form)
- the documents you want legalised
- a self-addressed registered post envelope, for us to return your legalised documents (must be an international envelope if lodging from overseas).
Multiple documents can be lodged using one Document Legalisation Request form.
We can't process your request if you don't include everything you need. We'll return your documents by mail with a letter explaining what to do next.
Keep a copy of the tracking number for both:
- the envelope you sent the request in
- the envelope you included for us to return your documents.
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
Step 4: Wait for us to process your request
What we do
Our officers will check the signature and seal on your documents against our database.
- If the documents pass the check, we'll issue an apostille or authentication certificate directly on the document.
- If we can't legalise the documents, we'll return them and explain what to do next.
We may have to contact the issuing authority to check that the document is authentic. This could cause a delay. We'll tell you if this happens.
How long it takes
Processing times vary.
Delays can happen when:
- demand increases at the end of the school year and during peak holiday periods
- your request is incomplete
- you haven't paid the fee
- we have to contact the issuing authority of the document.
Step 5: Receive your legalised documents
Once we legalise your documents, we will either:
- tell you when you can collect them from the Australian Passport Office (in Australia) or Australian embassy, high commission or consulate (overseas)
- send them back to you in the self-addressed envelope you supplied, if that was your preference.
If you have any questions about the information on this page, email us at legalisations.australia@dfat.gov.au or contact us online.
Read more
- See which documents we can legalise.
- How to request our notarial services overseas.
- How to request a Certificate of No Impediment to Marriage (CNI).
- Understand how and when we can help. Read the Consular Services Charter.
See also
- Contact the embassy, high commission or consulate of the country that issued the overseas document (DFAT).
- Verify an Australian-issued apostille online (DFAT).
