Please ensure that documents relating to the notarial services you require from the Embassy or our Consulates-General are presented in the correct form and that you provide the correct instructions for the notarial service you require. If you are unsure of the legislative requirements relating to the notarial service you require, you should seek independent legal advice.
Please note that neither the Australian Government nor the Embassy or our Consulates-General guarantee the legal effectiveness of the notarised document or the accuracy of its content. Fees paid for notarial services are non-refundable.
Notarial services are legal acts which allow written records to be used for official or legal purposes. In Australia, these services are performed by Justices of the Peace, Public Notaries and similarly authorised persons.
The Consular Fees Act 1955 (Cth) authorises consular staff overseas to perform notarial services for Australian documents and foreign documents for use in Australia. The Act requires fees to be charged for notarial services (see below).
Some services are provided by mail, but others require an in-person appointment. Before mailing your documents, making an appointment, or contacting our offices, please read this page, the Notarial services - Frequently asked questions (FAQs) page and Smartraveller’s Notarial services overseas page.
Do I need to come in person?
The full list of services available is listed in the Fees table below. Some services are provided by mail, but others require an in-person appointment.
Services provided by mail include:
- certifying copies of original documents (Note: certifying photographs and identity declarations must be done in-person)
- Apostilles and Authentication certificates on original documents (Note: Apostilles on electronically issued Australian public documents must be done in-person)
- Exchange Visitor (J-1) Program ‘No Objection’ statements.
For further information and instructions on mailing your original documents, see our Mail-in services page.
In-Person services provided by appointment only include:
- certifying photographs and identity declarations
- issuing Apostilles and Authentication certificates on electronically issued documents
- witnessing signatures (e.g. on statutory declarations, driver licence renewals, and Australian property transfers)
- administering affidavits
- issuing Certificates of No Impediment to Marriage.
For further information and to schedule an appointment see our In-person services page.
Fees
Fees are set by the Consular Fees Act 1955 (Cth) and the Consular Fees Regulations 2018 (Cth). Fees are not refundable and may change each month due to fluctuations in currency exchange rates.
Fees are payable by Visa or Mastercard (no cash or cheques).
The following fees apply from 1 March 2025:
| Notarial Act | AUD fee | USD fee |
|---|---|---|
| Administering an oath or receiving a declaration or affirmation | $88 | $56 |
| Effecting, or attempting to effect, service of a document and issuing a certificate or affidavit or service of a document | $88 | $56 |
| Witnessing a signature or seal on a form or declaration | $88 | $56 |
| Preparing a declaration or other document | $88 | $56 |
| Verifying and certifying a copy of a document or part of a document | $88 | $56 |
| Signing a document, or affixing a seal to a document or other article | $88 | $56 |
| Witnessing the execution of a will | $88 | $56 |
| Transmitting a document or other article through official channels | $88 | $56 |
| Transferring funds through official accounts, other than for the purposes of the realisation of a deceased estate | $88 | $56 |
| Preparation and issue of an Apostille certificate | $102 | $64 |
| Preparation and issue of an Authentication certificate | $102 | $64 |
| Preparation and issue of a Certificate of No Impediment to Marriage | $177 | $112 |