Apostille & Legalisation for Marriage Certificates (Australia)
Apostille & Legalisation
If you need to use your Australian marriage certificate overseas, you may need to get it apostilled or legalised. This guide explains when each process is required and how to get your documents authenticated by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).
Authorised Commonwealth Marriage Celebrant. Serving Perth and Fremantle / Perth.
When Do You Need Apostille or Legalisation?
Using Your Certificate Overseas
Most countries require additional authentication before they’ll accept your Australian marriage certificate for official purposes such as:
- Visa applications
- Residency applications
- Name changes abroad
- Property purchases
- Employment verification
- Banking and financial services
- Legal proceedings
The Two Authentication Methods
Apostille and legalisation are both ways to verify that your Australian marriage certificate is genuine, but they’re used for different countries.
Apostille vs Legalisation: What’s the Difference?
Apostille (Simpler Process)
For countries that are members of the Hague Convention
- What it is: A special certificate attached to your document
- Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT)
- Recognition: Automatically accepted by all Hague Convention countries
- Process: Single-step authentication
- Faster: Generally quicker than legalisation
Common Hague Convention countries include:
- United Kingdom
- New Zealand
- United States
- Canada
- Most European Union countries
- Japan
- South Korea
- Many others
Legalisation (More Complex Process)
For countries that are NOT members of the Hague Convention
- What it is: Multi-step verification process
- Steps involved: DFAT authentication + embassy/consulate verification
- Recognition: Accepted by non-Hague Convention countries
- Process: Two-step authentication
- Slower: Takes longer due to multiple steps
Common non-Hague Convention countries include:
- China
- Thailand
- Vietnam
- United Arab Emirates
- Some Middle Eastern countries
- Some African countries
Step-by-Step Process
Step 1: Get Your Marriage Certificate
Before you can apostille or legalise, you need an official marriage certificate from the Western Australia Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages.
- Not the commemorative certificate from your wedding day
- Must be an official certified copy or extract
- See our guide: Order Your Marriage Certificate
Step 2: Check Which Process You Need
Research the destination country’s requirements:
- Check with the organisation requesting the document
- Contact the embassy or consulate of the destination country
- Look up Hague Convention membership online
- Ask a migration agent if you’re using one
Step 3A: Apostille Process (Hague Convention Countries)
Submit to DFAT
- Complete DFAT application form
- Include your original marriage certificate
- Pay the required fee (check DFAT website for current rates)
- Choose processing speed (standard or express)
- Submit by post or in person (depending on your location)
What DFAT Does
- Verifies the certificate is genuine
- Attaches an apostille certificate
- Returns the documents to you
- Processing time: Check DFAT website for current timeframes
Step 3B: Legalisation Process (Non-Hague Convention Countries)
First: DFAT Authentication
- Same process as apostille initially
- DFAT verifies and stamps your certificate
- Returns authenticated document to you
Second: Embassy/Consulate Verification
- Take DFAT-authenticated certificate to the relevant embassy or consulate
- Complete embassy application forms
- Pay embassy fees
- Embassy verifies DFAT’s authentication
- Embassy adds their own stamp/seal
Important Requirements
Document Condition
- Original certificates only - photocopies are not accepted
- Good condition - no tears, stains, or damage
- Recent issue - some countries prefer recently issued certificates
- Correct type - certified copy or extract as required
Timing Considerations
- Plan ahead - the process can take several weeks
- Express options - available for additional fees
- Embassy delays - consulates may have their own processing times
- Holiday periods - government offices may be closed
Fees and Costs
DFAT fees: Check the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade website for current apostille and authentication fees.
Embassy fees: Each embassy sets their own fees for legalisation services.
Total cost: Budget for both DFAT and embassy fees if legalisation is required.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Wrong Document Type
- Don’t use commemorative certificates - they won’t be accepted
- Check requirements - some countries prefer certified copies over extracts
- Get multiple copies if you need documents for different purposes
Wrong Process
- Research thoroughly - using apostille for non-Hague countries won’t work
- Double-check - country membership can change
- Ask the requesting organisation - they should know what they need
Timing Issues
- Don’t leave it to the last minute - allow plenty of time
- Consider express options if you’re in a hurry
- Factor in embassy processing for legalisation
Special Situations
Multiple Countries
If you need your certificate for multiple countries:
- Get multiple original certificates from WA BDM
- Each needs separate authentication - you can’t photocopy apostilled documents
- Different processes may be needed for different countries
Urgent Situations
- Express processing available from DFAT for additional fees
- Contact embassies to ask about urgent processing
- Consider professional services if time is critical
Document Translation
- Some countries require translation in addition to apostille/legalisation
- Use certified translators - not all translations are accepted
- Translate first, then apostille - the translation may also need authentication
Professional Services
When to Consider Professional Help
- Complex requirements - multiple countries or documents
- Tight deadlines - urgent processing needed
- Unfamiliar process - first time dealing with authentication
- High stakes - important visa or legal applications
What Professional Services Offer
- Document collection and lodgement
- Liaison with DFAT and embassies
- Status updates and tracking
- Express processing coordination
- Translation services
Getting Help
DFAT Resources
- Website: Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
- Phone: Check DFAT website for contact numbers
- Offices: Located in major Australian cities
- Online tracking: Available for submitted applications
Embassy and Consulate Information
- Contact directly for legalisation requirements
- Check websites for specific procedures and fees
- Make appointments if required for in-person submission
The Perth Marriage Office Support
- Pre-ceremony advice on certificate requirements
- Post-ceremony guidance on the authentication process
- Document verification - ensuring you have the right certificates
- Contact us if you need help understanding the process
Planning Your International Move
If you’re planning to move overseas after marriage:
- Research early - understand what documents you’ll need
- Get multiple certificates - you may need several for different purposes
- Start the process early - allow plenty of time for authentication
- Keep originals safe - you’ll need them for the authentication process
- Consider professional help - especially for complex situations
Ready to Get Married?
Book your marriage ceremony with The Perth Marriage Office. We’ll help you understand the entire process, from ceremony to getting your documents ready for international use.
Contact us if you have questions about marriage certificates and international authentication requirements.
Related Information
- Order Your Marriage Certificate - Get your official WA marriage certificate
- Change your name - Name change process after marriage
- Simple marriage service - Get married with The Perth Marriage Office
- Requirements - What you need to get married in WA
Quick Reference
Hague Convention Countries (Apostille)
✅ Simpler process - single DFAT authentication
✅ Faster processing - one step only
✅ Automatic recognition - accepted by all member countries
Non-Hague Convention Countries (Legalisation)
⚠️ Two-step process - DFAT + embassy authentication
⚠️ Longer processing - multiple steps required
⚠️ Higher cost - DFAT + embassy fees
Remember: Always check the specific requirements with the organisation or country that will be accepting your marriage certificate. Requirements can change, and it’s better to confirm before starting the authentication process.