June 22, 2026
If you have been asked to provide Australian documents for use overseas, you may need to have those documents notarised, Apostilled or otherwise authenticated before they will be accepted.
These requests commonly arise when dealing with overseas government authorities, banks, universities, employers, lawyers, regulators and commercial organisations.
The exact requirements depend on the document, the country where it will be used and the organisation receiving it.
Common Australian Documents Required Overseas
We regularly assist with Australian documents including:
- Passports and identification documents
- Birth, marriage and death certificates
- AFP National Police Checks
- Educational qualifications
- University degrees and transcripts
- TAFE and vocational qualifications
- ASIC company documents
- Company extracts
- Board resolutions
- Financial statements
- Business bank statements
- Powers of Attorney
- Declarations and affidavits
- Commercial contracts
Does Every Document Need to Be Notarised?
No. Different documents are treated differently.
Some Australian government documents can proceed directly to DFAT for an Apostille or Authentication certificate.
Other documents must first be notarised before DFAT can issue an Apostille or Authentication certificate.
Private documents, company documents, educational documents and copied documents commonly require notarisation first.
Educational Documents
Educational documents often require verification before they can be notarised.
Verification can include:
- My eQuals verification
- Direct verification with the educational institution
- University or TAFE records confirmation
- Official online verification systems
This applies to degrees, transcripts, testamurs, diplomas, certificates and vocational qualifications.
Company and Business Documents
Australian company documents often require notarisation before they can be used overseas.
These may include:
- ASIC Certificates of Registration
- ASIC Current Company Extracts
- Company Constitutions
- Director resolutions
- Shareholder resolutions
- Corporate authority documents
- Financial statements
- Business bank statements
- Contracts
Where multiple business documents are involved, it is important to determine whether each document requires separate notarisation or whether the documents can be dealt with as a notarial bundle.
Apostille and Authentication
An Apostille or Authentication certificate is issued by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
DFAT does not provide legal advice about which documents are required for your overseas matter.
Its role is to authenticate eligible Australian documents or the signature and seal of the Notary Public.
Different Countries and Organisations Have Different Requirements
There is no single rule that applies to every overseas document request.
Requirements differ depending on:
- The country where the document will be used
- The overseas authority or organisation receiving the document
- The type of application or transaction involved
- Whether the document is original, copied, private, corporate or government-issued
- Whether translation, legalisation or embassy involvement is required
For that reason, document requirements should always be confirmed with the relevant overseas authority, lawyer, migration adviser, bank, employer, university or receiving organisation.
Send Us the Document Request
If you have received a request for Australian documents to be used overseas, send us the request and copies of the documents.
We can advise which Australian documents require notarisation, which documents may proceed directly to DFAT and whether Apostille, Authentication or legalisation services are required.
Need Australian Documents Notarised or Apostilled?
We assist individuals and companies with Australian documents for use overseas.
Call 0422 058 165
Email michael@solicitor.sydney
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