Apostille for Australia from the UK

An apostille is a stamped official certificate. The FCDO Legalisation Office checks a document’s signature or seal against its records before attaching the apostille to the document.

Documents that can be legalised

A document can be legalised when a UK public official issued it, or when such an official certified it — for example a UK notary or a solicitor. Typical examples are a contract, a power of attorney and a qualification certificate copy that a solicitor has certified.

Two types of apostille

You apply for both types online. The paper-based apostille is handled by post, or in person for registered businesses. The e-Apostille is a PDF file that a UK notary or a solicitor has signed electronically.

When an e-Apostille is not available

The e-Apostille cannot be used for birth certificates, death certificates, marriage certificates, civil partnership certificates, adoption certificates or other General Register Office documents. It is also not available for ACRO police certificates (England and Wales), DBS certificates (England and Wales), fingerprint certificates, and disclosure certificates (Scotland or Northern Ireland). For documents of this kind, the paper-based apostille is the only remaining route.

Fees per document

How long each option takes

Before you apply

Check with the authority in Australia that will receive the document. Some of them want a paper-based apostille even though an e-Apostille exists, so it is worth confirming this before you choose between the two types.