Authentication

Fast Authentication Service

Need an Authentication for your document? We attend DFAT daily for clients - no appointment required.

Price

$200 plus the $98 DFAT fee
Additional documents are $80 each plus DFAT fees
All our prices are in AUD and include GST
Please note that additional fees apply to ASIC documents, Court documents, Divorce Orders, NAATI translated documents and documents already Notarised by a Notary Public

Timeframe

We attend DFAT daily for clients
DFAT is the only body in Australia that is authorised to issue Authentications
The current DFAT processing time for an Authentication is within 3 business days

Express Delivery

Includes express postage of your Authenticated document anywhere in Australia
Prefer the Authenticated document to be sent overseas? We can arrange that too

Need your document Notarised first?

You can add notarisation for your document in the booking form

Have your document Attested by the Embassy

We provide document attestation services for UAE, Kuwait and Qatar   

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

FAQs

How do you provide Authentications faster than anyone else?

We attend DFAT the same day we receive your document and all required information before 10am, or the next day when received after 10am.

Your Authenticated document will be express posted to you free of charge anywhere in Australia. Prefer the Authenticated document to be sent overseas - we can arrange that too.  

Who can Authenticate a document in Australia?

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) is the only body in Australia that is authorised to issue Authentications. DFAT issues Authentications through the passport offices in each capital city in Australia.  

The current DFAT processing time for an Authentication Certificate is up to 3 business days.

What documents can DFAT Authenticate?

DFAT can Authenticate:

- original Australian government issued documents with an official seal or signature
- documents translated by a NAATI certified translator that meets certain requirements
- documents that have been properly notarised by an Australian Notary Public

What is an Australian Government Issued Document?

Australian Government issued documents include:

- Academic Documents
- AFP National Police Certificate
- ASIC Certificate of Registration of a Company
- ASIC Company Extract (Current or Historical)
- Birth Certificate
- Certificate of Residency issued by the Australian Tax Office (ATO)
- Change of Name Certificate
- Citizenship Certificate
- Court Document
- Citizenship Certificate
- Death Certificate
- Divorce Order
- Drivers Licence
- Fingerprint Report issued by the ACIC
- Marriage Certificate (excluding ceremonial certificate)
- Passport
- Relationship Certificate
- Single Status or Record of No Result Certificate

Are there any specific requirements for Academic documents?

Academic documents must be verified with the issuing university or TAFE institution before DFAT will issue an Authentication.

Verification can be completed via MyEqulals or by email with the institution.    

Are there any specific requirements for School documents?

Original academic documents issued by public or private primary and secondary schools in Australia can only be Authenticated by DFAT if:

- verified and signed by an authorised officer from the relevant State or Territory government body; or
- Notarised by an Australian Notary Public. 

DFAT cannot Authenticate academic documents signed only by the school administration. If the academic document is signed only by the school administration, then our Notary Public can notarise it for you before presenting it to DFAT for Authentication.

How do I deliver the original document to Swift Notary?

It depends on whether the document was originally issued electronically or in hard-copy.

Electronically
If the original document was issued electronically, then simply upload the electronic document in our booking platform and:

- forward the original email from the issuing authority with the document linked or attached;
- provide login details to the issuing authority's online portal ; or
- complete email verification with the issuer of the document. Instructions are provided in the booking form.  

This information is required to verify the authenticity of the document.

Hard-Copy
If the document was issued in hard-copy, simply post the hard-copy document to our Po Box. We recommend sending by express post which guarantees next day delivery from most metropolitan areas in Australia.  

What is an Authentication?

Authentication is the process of certifying a document for destination countries that are not members of the Apostille Convention or for documents that do not meet the criteria for an Apostille.

Authentication involves DFAT verifying that the seal and signature on the notarised documents belong to the Notary Public who notarised them.

Once the document has been authenticated by DFAT, it must be presented to the relevant foreign consulate or embassy in Australia before it can be sent to the destination country.

I've been told I need an Authentication from DFAT. How do I get one?

We can have your document Authenticated by DFAT for you. We attend DFAT daily for clients and offer a fully managed service - no appointment required.

Book online instantly by following this link to our booking platform. The platform will guide you through the process and provide a summary of the service and price prior to payment.

What is the difference between an Apostille and Authentication?
Apostille and Authentication are two processes used to verify the authenticity of documents for overseas use.  

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) is the only body in Australia that is authorised to issue Apostilles and Authentications. DFAT will certify that a signature, stamp or seal on an official Australian public document, NAATI translated document or a document notarised by an Australian Notary Public is genuine by reviewing it against a specimen held on file and provide a certificate in the form of an ''Apostille' or 'Authentication'.  

An Apostille certificate is used for certifying documents that are intended for use in countries which are members of the Apostille Convention.

An Authentication certificate is used for certifying documents that are intended for use in countries which are not members of the Apostille Convention

Please refer to the List of Countries that are members of the Apostille Convention. Each of these countries accept an Apostille.

We recommend confirming with the overseas party requesting the document whether an Apostille or Authentication is required.
Why choose Swift Notary?
We're a leading provider of Notary Public services across Sydney and Australia.

Expertise You Can Trust
Our highly qualified Sydney Notary Public brings years of experience and expertise to ensure the highest standard of Notary services. Trust us to handle your documents with precision and care.

Accessible
We are able to provide most services online making us the most accessible Notary Public in Australia.

Book Online
You can make a booking 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Select and book your services from anywhere, any time of the day.

Affordable
Our streamlined platform allows us to offer low cost Notary Public services. We offer fixed price transparent Notary fees - view our prices.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Apostille FAQs

Who issues Apostilles?

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) is the only body in Australia that is authorised to issue Apostilles. DFAT issues Apostilles through the passport office in each Australia State and Territory capital city.

What is an Apostille in Australia?

An Apostille is a specific type of certification issued by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) certifying that a document is either an original Australian government document or a document that has been notarised by a Notary Public. An Apostille confirms the authenticity of the document's signature, seal, or stamp and the authority of the person or organisation that issued it.

An Apostille will only be recognised in a country that is a signatory to the Apostille Convention (Hague Apostille Convention). The Apostille Convention simplifies the process of authenticating documents for international use. Under this Convention, participating countries agree to recognise an Apostille as a valid certification for documents issued by authorities within the same country. Refer to our List of Countries Accepting an Apostille.

If the intended destination country is not a signatory to the Apostille Convention, then you may need to have your document "authenticated" by DFAT.

What documents can DFAT Apostille?

DFAT can Apostille original Australian government issued documents or documents notarised by a Notary Public.

Original Australian government documents that DFAT can Apostille are:

- Australian Citizenship Certificate
- Australian Education Institution Document
- Australian Government Commercial Document (e.g. ASIC, ATO or TGA document)
- Australian Birth Certificate
- Australian Death Certificate
- Australian Divorce Certificate
- Certificate of Residency issued by the Australian Tax Office (ATO)
- Document notarised by an Australian Notary Public
- Fingerprint report issued by the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission
- Marriage Certificate (excluding ceremonial certificate)
- National Police Certificate issued by the Australian Federal Police (AFP) (excluding digital certificate)
- Single Status or Record of No Result Certificate
- Translated documents by an official National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters (NAATI) provided certain requirements are met.

Why choose Swift Notary for your Apostille?

Swift Notary can obtain an Apostille certificate from DFAT in less than 48 hours. We are a leading provider of Apostille certificate services in Australia. Our experience ensures that your documents are Apostilled correctly the first time.

Due to the high demand for Apostille appointments, it can take up to a month to get an Apostille appointment with DFAT. Our Notary Public attends the Sydney DFAT office daily for clients which allows us to offer the fastest Apostille service in Australia.  

We offer a streamlined system which allows you to book your Apostille service online 7 days a week from anywhere in Australia or overseas - no appointment required. We are happy to accept documents sent directly from Australian government departments and can express post your Apostilled documents anywhere in Australia or worldwide.

List of Apostille Countries

List of countries accepting an Apostille

The list of countries below are members of the Apostille Convention meaning each of these countries accept an Apostille.

Albania
Andorra
Anguilla
Antigua and Barbuda
Argentina
Armenia
Aruba
Austria
Azerbaijan
Bahamas
Bahrain
Barbados
Belarus
Belgium
Belize
Bermuda
Bolivia (Plurinational State of)
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Botswana
Brazil
British Antarctic Territory
British Virgin Islands
Brunei Darussalam
Bulgaria
Burundi
Canada
Cape Verde
Caribbean Netherlands
Cayman Islands
Chile
China
Colombia
Cook Islands
Costa Rica
Croatia
Curacao
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Denmark
Dominica
Dominican Republic
Ecuador
El Salvador
Estonia
Eswatini
Falkland Islands
Faroe Islands
Fiji
Finland
France
Georgia
Germany
Gibraltar
Greece
Grenada
Guatemala
Guernsey
Guyana
Honduras
Hungary
Iceland
India
Indonesia
Ireland
Isle of Man
Israel
Italy
Jamaica
Japan
Jersey
Kazakhstan
Kosovo
Kyrgyzstan
Latvia
Lesotho
Liberia
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Malawi
Malta
Marshall Islands
Mauritius
Mexico
Monaco
Mongolia
Montenegro
Montserrat
Morocco
Namibia
Netherlands
New Zealand
Nicaragua
Niue
North Macedonia
Norway
Oman
Pakistan
Palau
Panama
Paraguay
Peru
Philippines
Poland
Portugal
Republic of Korea
Republic of Moldova
Romania
Russian Federation
Rwanda
Saint Helena
Saint Kitts and Nevis
Saint Lucia
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Samoa
San Marino
Sao Tome and Principe
Saudi Arabia
Senegal
Serbia
Seychelles
Singapore
Sint Maarten
Slovakia
Slovenia
South Africa
Spain
Suriname
Sweden
Switzerland
Tajikistan
Tonga
Trinidad and Tobago
Tunisia
Turkey
Turks and Caicos Islands
Ukraine
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
United States of America
Uruguay
Uzbekistan
Vanuatu
Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of) 

For any countries not listed above, an Authentication from DFAT may be required.