Apostille

What does it mean?

Sometimes, (but not always) the people who ask you to get a document notarised also ask that it be apostilled. When Tim or Stephen notarise a document for you, they affix a seal, authenticating the document. The apostille process is the Australian Government putting its seal on the document, to verify Tim or Stephen’s  seal. This only applies to the countries which are parties to an international convention. Click here for a list of those countries.

Sometimes, you may also be asked to take the document to the overseas country’s consulate. The consulate then affixes its seal, to verify the seal of the Australian Government, which verifies Tim or Stephen’s  seal, which verifies your document.

How do I do it?

We take care of all the paperwork and with dealing with the Department, and we will have the completed documents ready for you to collect or express posted to you within a few days. The cost is $220 (no matter how many documents) excluding GST, plus the fees the department charges us, of $102 per document (no matter how many pages). This includes all expenses, including express posting the completed document to you.

If you have a number of documents, $102 per document can get expensive. Talk to Tim or Stephen about whether your documents can all be bound together, so you incur only one government Apostille fee.

Education documents

Special rules apply to certification of education documents. Click here for more information.

Consular certification

Sometimes, whoever asked you to get the document notarised will tell you that you need to get it certified by the consulate or embassy of the country where the document will be used. The procedures, fees and delays of different embassies and consulates the vary widely. We are happy to take care of it for you, for $220 (excluding GST), no matter how many documents, plus whatever fees are charged by the consulate or embassy.

Contact us for more information or an appointment on (02) 9923 2321 or enquiries@somervillelegal.com.au