International Document Certification Melbourne

In simple terms

“A copy that an authority overseas will accept exactly as if it were the original.”

Service Overview

Documents for overseas use

A certified true copy is a photocopy or scan of an original document that a notary public has compared against the original, side by side, and then stamped, signed and sealed with a formal declaration that the copy is faithful. The copy itself becomes a legal document carrying the notary’s registered seal — the same seal that DFAT and foreign embassies recognise.

Side-by-side check

We sight the original and the copy in person.

Notarial seal

Embossed and signed on every page of the copy.

Register entry

Recorded in our notarial register — kept seven years.

Apostille-ready

Accepted at DFAT for the next step in legalisation.

Category 01

Country-specific requirements

You will be asked for a certified true copy almost any time an overseas authority — a government, a university, a bank, a registrar or a court — needs proof of an Australian document but cannot keep the original. Here are the situations we handle weekly.

01

Visa & Migration Applications

Embassies and immigration departments overseas accept certified copies of passports, birth certificates and police checks so the applicant retains the original throughout the process.

02

Overseas Study Enrolment

Foreign universities and credential evaluators require certified copies of degree parchments, academic transcripts and English-language test results — never the originals.

03

Employment Abroad

Employers in the Gulf, Asia and Europe ask for certified copies of qualifications, professional licences and references as part of the visa-sponsorship and background-check process.

04

Foreign Bank Accounts

Opening a bank account, brokerage or trust overseas almost always requires certified copies of ID, proof of address and — for companies — the certificate of incorporation and ASIC extract.

05

Property Transactions Overseas

Buying, selling or inheriting property in another country: foreign land registries and conveyancers want certified copies of ID, marriage certificates, wills and powers of attorney.

06

Foreign Court & Probate Matters

Overseas courts and probate registries treat a notarised certified copy as admissible evidence — useful for affidavits, succession, divorce recognition and contractual disputes abroad.

Unsure if you need an original or a certified copy? Send us a photograph of the request from the overseas authority — we’ll read the requirement and confirm exactly what is needed before you book in. Ask for a free check →

Notary's Role

Notarial certificates

A notary public is a public officer whose signature and seal are registered with DFAT and with foreign authorities. That registration is what makes the rest of the legalisation chain possible — without it, DFAT has nothing recognised to authenticate.

01

Identity Verification

We verify your identity against original photo ID and record the verification in the notarial register — a permanent legal record.

02

Witnessing Signatures

For affidavits, powers of attorney and sworn statements, we witness your signature and record that it was made knowingly and voluntarily.

03

Certifying True Copies

We compare a copy against the original document and certify, under seal, that the copy is a faithful reproduction.

The Two Pathways

Apostille and authentication pathways

Both are issued by DFAT, and both verify an Australian document for use overseas. The difference is what your destination country requires — and it determines the entire timeline, cost and process.

VS

Pathway A · Hague Convention countries

Apostille

A single-step certificate from DFAT — universally accepted.

Issued by

DFAT only — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Steps

One step. The apostille is attached and the document is ready.

Timeline

1–2 business days from DFAT lodgement.

Cost

DFAT fee + our service fee — from AUD $120 over notarisation.

Legal basis

The 1961 Hague Convention, which Australia joined in 1995.

Pathway B · Non-Hague countries

Authentication + Embassy Legalisation

A two-step chain — DFAT first, destination embassy second.

Issued by

DFAT only — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Steps
One step. The apostille is attached and the document is ready.
Timeline
1–2 business days from DFAT lodgement.
Cost
DFAT fee + our service fee — from AUD $120 over notarisation.
Legal basis
The 1961 Hague Convention, which Australia joined in 1995.

Not sure which pathway applies to you? Tell us the document type and destination country — we’ll confirm the correct legalisation pathway and provide a fixed all-inclusive quote, usually within two hours. Request a free assessment →

Book Now

Book Your International Certification Appointment

Tell us about your document and destination. We’ll come back with a fixed quote and an appointment slot — usually within two hours during business hours, and the same day on after-hours requests.

Call Us Directly

(+021) 4825 658 · Monday–Friday, 9–5

Email the Practice

support@domain.com · response within 2 hours

Visit Our Chambers

Jl. Raya Kuta No.70, Kuta · By appointment

After-Hours & Emergency

Evenings & weekends by arrangement

Request International Certification Appointment

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