Embassy and Consulate Legalisation in Australia
Countries that are not part of the Hague Apostille Convention require a longer chain of verification, often called legalisation or attestation. The document is first authenticated by DFAT and then legalised by the destination country's embassy or consulate in Australia. Each mission has its own forms, fees, opening hours and translation requirements. ABC Translation manages every step so your documents arrive ready to use.
Our legalisation process
- We confirm the exact requirements of the embassy or consulate for your document type.
- We arrange notarisation and certified translation where required.
- We obtain DFAT authentication.
- We lodge the document with the embassy or consulate (mostly in Canberra) and collect it.
- We return the legalised document to you by tracked courier.
Frequently requested countries
- United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia (employment and commercial documents)
- Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand and other Asian countries
- Egypt, Lebanon, Iraq, Jordan and other Middle Eastern countries
- Countries in Africa and Latin America outside the Convention
Every document is different, so we quote each request individually. Quotes are free and without obligation.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between an apostille and legalisation?
An apostille is a single certificate accepted by all Apostille Convention countries. Legalisation is a multi-step process for non-member countries: DFAT authentication followed by legalisation at the relevant embassy or consulate.
How long does legalisation take?
It depends mainly on the embassy or consulate. Some missions process documents within a few days; others take several weeks. We give you a realistic timeline with your quote.
Do I need to be in Canberra?
No. You can send us your documents from anywhere in Australia or overseas, and we handle lodgement and collection on your behalf.
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Tell us what you need and attach your documents if you have them. We reply by email with a fixed quote and turnaround.
Every document is different, so we quote each request individually. Quotes are free and without obligation.