What  is an APOSTILLE

An Apositlle is a certification by the Australian Department of foreign affairs and trade pursuant to the Hague Convention which certifies that the notary who has signed the document is known to the Department, the Department verifies for his or her signature and that document can then be presented in any legal proceedings overseas without the need of any notation from the consulate of the country to which it is presented. For example if there is a power of attorney for Germany that power of attorney is signed before a notary and then lodged with the Department of foreign affairs and trade for the affixing of the Apostille. That document can then be used in Germany without the need to presented to the consulate of Germany.

WHEN  IS AN APOSTILLE REQUIRED

An APOSTILLE is required for all countries that are part of the Hague Convention . These countries include all countries in Europe including countries in Eastern Europe and also other countries in Europe that are not part of the European Union such as Serbia Albania Russia and all countries in Central and South America. Other countries that are parties to the Hague Convention are the Republic of Korea (South Korea) and Japan. We can provide you with a full list of countries that are part of the Hague Convention .

Generally an Apositlle is not required for, Commonwealth countries except for the Republic of South Africa , Mauritius, Ireland and Malta and Cyprus.

WHAT IS AN AUTHENTICATION 

An authentication is essentially the same certification by the Australian Department of foreign affairs and trade as an Apostille but only applies to countries that are NOT part of the Hague Convention .Such countries include most countries in the Middle East, except Israel and many other countries outside Europe .We can provide a full list of the countries where an authentication is required . Countries that are not part of the Hague Convention also require that after the authentication by the Australian Department of foreign affairs and trade is after authentication presented to  the local embassy of the country where the documents are to be used for a stamp to be affixed. For example the People's Republic of China requires an authentication and after authentication requires these documents to be presented to its consulate in Melbourne. Hong Kong on the other hand requires an Apostille as it was a former British colony and adapted its law's, but does not require the document to be presented to its consulate.

WHAT IS THE CHARGE OF AN AUTHENICATION

The costs are $88.00 for notarisation, the Department of foreign affairs and trade charges $84.00 an authentication and there is a charge of $9.74 for an express post stamp.

CERTIFICATE OF GOOD STANDING

This is a certificate confirm that the company is duly registered under the laws of Australia and that any persons who sign the documents such as a director or secretary are duly authorised to sign the documents and that their positions in the company have been confirmed by a search.

VERIFICATION OF ASIC REGISTRATION

 This is a certificate provided after a current company search has been done to confirm that the registration of the company's is current at the date of the search. Please note that a copy of a certificate of incorporation is not sufficient to establish that the company is currently registered as to certificate of incorporation relates to the time when the company was incorporated not the time that the documents have been signed.

COMMERCIAL DOCUMENTS MIDDLE EAST

Many commercial documents for the Middle East such as commercial invoices bills of lading, certificates of authenticity and other such commercial documents require an notary certification and also an authentication by the Department of foreign affairs and trade and then these documents are to be presented to the relevant embassy. Please note that some documents that are to be presented at a number of Middle Eastern countries need to be presented to the relevant embassy as even adjoining Middle East countries do not accept documents from other countries.

IDENTIFICATION OF PERSONS

Certifying identification documents for the purpose of making any applications overseas.

POWER OF ATTORNEY -INDIA

This is generally prepared by the lawyer in India on duty paper that is paper on which stamp duty has been paid. It requires in addition to the notary to signatures of witnesses who must state their name and address on the form. The passport size photographs and thumbprint is required to be put on the form . This form can be sent directly to India if it has the duty paid or duty can be paid in India .It is not required to have an Apositlle and can be sent directly to India without any further legalisation.

ACADEMIC OR PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS

in the case of academic professional qualifications most countries require the actual certificate degree of diploma and also a transcript of subjects certified by the University or other institution of training. A copy of the original documents is required to be notarised and presented to the Department of foreign affairs and trade for either an Apostille or authentication and in the case of authentication also presented to the relevant embassy.

PROOF OF LIFE 

In many cases where people receive and overseas pension they have to provide an annual certificate to confirm that they are alive. This certificate does not have to to be authenticated and in if these people are full pensioners we offer a reduced rate of one half of the usual charge for notary services. Please note this only applies to proof of life certification .