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.

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

  1. Complete DFAT application form
  2. Include your original marriage certificate
  3. Pay the required fee (check DFAT website for current rates)
  4. Choose processing speed (standard or express)
  5. 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

  1. Same process as apostille initially
  2. DFAT verifies and stamps your certificate
  3. Returns authenticated document to you

Second: Embassy/Consulate Verification

  1. Take DFAT-authenticated certificate to the relevant embassy or consulate
  2. Complete embassy application forms
  3. Pay embassy fees
  4. Embassy verifies DFAT’s authentication
  5. 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:

  1. Research early - understand what documents you’ll need
  2. Get multiple certificates - you may need several for different purposes
  3. Start the process early - allow plenty of time for authentication
  4. Keep originals safe - you’ll need them for the authentication process
  5. 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.

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.