Apostilles and Authentications 'Legalisation'
An apostille is a statement placed on a public document that facilitates its use in a foreign country. It verifies the document’s origins, the authenticity of the signature and seal which appear on the document, and the capacity in which the person signing the document acted.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) is the only authority that can apostille Australian public documents. Overseas, this service is provided by Australian Embassies and Consulates. We call this Legalisation.
An Australian public document is one that is issued by a government authority in Australia. This includes most documents issued by Australian Department of Birth Death & Marriages (i.e. birth certificates, marriage certificates, single status 'record of no result' certificates). It also includes documents issued by Australia courts (i.e. divorce certificate/order), police, and government departments.
In the Netherlands, municipalities will require an apostille to be placed on your original birth certificate (and marriage certificate) for registration and to obtain a BSN.
For documents intended for use in countries which are not signatories to the Hague Convention, we can apply an authentication certificate.
An authentication certificate serves the same purpose as an apostille. The country receiving the document decides which certificate they accept and each country has different requirements. DFAT cannot advise clients of foreign requirements.
A private document (i.e. one not issued by a government authority) can only become a public document if it has been notarised by an Australia public notary.
Please click on the headings below and follow the instructions:
Make sure that you’ve confirmed requirements with the requesting authority (or sought legal advice) and correctly prepared any/all forms and documents you need. Apostilles can only be placed on original documents, not copies.
Public documents that have been laminated, framed or altered in any way are not acceptable for legalisations.
In the Netherlands it is common for the municpality to request an apostille to be placed on your original birth certificate/marriage certificate for registration and to obtain a BSN.
We can only legalise certificates issued by the relevant state Department of Birth Death & Marriages, and unable to place an apostille on a ceremonial certificate (e.g. a marriage ceremonial certificate signed by the celebrant).
There are additional requirements if you wish to have your academic and education documents legalised.
Refer to Smartraveller as part of your preparation.
Legalisations (apostille and authentication) services are offered by mail only. No appointment is required.
You can send the original documents to the Australian Embassy in The Hague by registered post.
Please include a cover letter with a description of the service you need, your return address, email and phone number.
All mail should be addressed to:
Consular Services
Australian Embassy the Hague
Carnegielaan 4
2517 KH The Hague
The Netherlands
If you have received your document electronically, please contact the Australian Embassy in the Hague on [email protected] to discuss your scenario.
When submitting your documents by mail, please ensure you include a completed Payment Authorisation Form.
If you would like your document returned via registered PostNL, an additional $20.43 AUD will be deducted to cover postage costs. Please include this in the authorisation amount. Postage is within the Netherlands only.
All fees are charged in Australian Dollars (AUD) and may be affected by exchange rates and other applicable international transaction fees.
Fees are charged per document.
We accept American Express, credit/debit cards with 16 or 18 digits (no letters accepted). Please note that Dutch ‘pin’ cards and cash are not accepted.
Fees for notarial services are set under the Consular Fees Act 1955 (Cth) and the Consular Fees Regulations 2018 (Cth). These fees are mandatory, non-negotiable, and non-refundable.
Refer to Notarial Fees.
Once your payment has been successfully processed, your request will be completed within five business days.
If you have chosen to have your documents returned by post, you will receive a PostNL track and trace code once dispatch is confirmed.
Alternatively, if you opted for collection, you will be notified when your document is ready to be collected.
Information concerning the requirements for driving on foreign licenses within each State or Territory of Australia can be found at Overseas Drivers | Austroads