Australian citizens in need of a Birth Certificate, Death Certificate, Marriage Certificate, or No Record of Marriage Certificate (also called a Single Status Certificate) must obtain these from the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages in the relevant State or Territory of Australia.

There is no central office covering the whole of Australia, each state has its own Registrar.

Contact details for the Registries can be found on the website of the Registry of Births Deaths and Marriages in the relevant State or Territory of Australia.

The fees applicable for these certificates are the responsibility of the relevant Registry.

Dutch legislation outlines you may only use your Australian driver's licence for a maximum of 185 days from date of registration in the Netherlands.

After that time has elapsed, you are required to obtain a Dutch driving licence should you wish to continue driving in the Netherlands.

Australian driver's licences are routinely withheld by the Dutch Authorities when issuing a Dutch licence. These licences are forwarded to the Australian Embassy in The Hague, where they are retained until their expiry date.

Should you wish to have your licence returned to you at an address in The Netherlands please submit a request to [email protected].

Drivers licences are issued by the individual states and territories of Australia.

The Australian Embassy in The Hague cannot issue renewals or replacements but can assist with witnessing signatures on applications and certifying documents if required.

For further information on renewing or replacing your Australian drivers licence, contact the issuing authority in the relevant state or territory.

For information on having your signature witnessed or obtaining certified copies of your documents, visits the Notarial Services page.

Contact the Criminal records section of the relevant state or territory police force in Australia if you require a Police Clearance or Criminal History check.

The type, cost and application forms required for clearance certificates vary, however all Australian states can provide at least one of the following certificates:

• Certificates issued on the basis of fingerprints,
• Certificate issued on the basis of a name check; and
• National Police Clearance Certificate.

Alternatively, the Australian Federal Police (AFP) can issue a National Police Clearance Certificate that covers all Australian states and territories. AFP has advised this certificate is acceptable in all countries.

To apply, visit https://www.afp.gov.au/what-we-do/services/criminal-records/national-police-checks

The Australian Embassy in The Hague can witness signatures on ‘Proof of Life’ forms for a fee however we are unable to provide information on the process, payments, or authorised certifiers.

Refer to Services Australia on 0800 022 4364 (free call number from the Netherlands during Australian business hours only) or Services Australia.

For information on having your signature witnessed, visit the Notarial Services page.

The Australian Embassy in The Hague does not have access to resources to assist with locating persons in Australia.

If your enquiry is prompted by some well-founded welfare concern, contact local police in Australia.

Otherwise we suggest that you systematically search telephone directories e.g. white pages and/or social media platforms and establish contact with family, friends and known associates of the person(s) concerned in an effort to obtain further information.

Immigration records can be accessed at the National Archives of Australia which holds records relating to immigration to Australia in the 20th century. Only records over 30 years of age are available for public access. More recent Immigration records are confidential and cannot be used to locate people.

You might also consider contacting the various Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages in the relevant State or Territory of Australia. There is no central office covering the whole of Australia; each state has its own Registrar, or engage the services of a reunion or family tracing service such as those offered by Oz Reunion or the Australian Red Cross.

The Australian Embassy in The Hague does not provide invigilation services.

For information on voting in Australian elections, visit the Australian Electoral Commission’s (AEC) Overseas voting page or contact the AEC by phone on +61 2 6160 2600 (note: international call charges apply).

You can also monitor our Australian Elections page, which is updated if/when the Embassy are providing voting services for federal or state elections.

The Australian Embassy in The Hague is unable to provide translation services.

Translations in Australia must be performed by a translator who is accredited by the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters (NAATI).  Visit the NAATI website to find a translator.

Official translators in the Netherlands are registered with the Dutch government through www.bureauwbtv.nl

Some organisations will be clear you need an Australian Diplomatic Officer or Australian Consular Officer to witness a signature or certify a document.

The requesting authority sets the standard and can advise if there is an alternative option overseas.

For a list of Notaries, please refer to European directory of Notaries