From pursuing a degree in France to expanding a business into Germany, more Australians are heading to Europe for work, study, or opportunity. But before you can enrol, register, or apply, you’ll likely need to submit legalised Australian documents—birth certificates, degrees, police checks, company constitutions, and more.

Here’s the good news: if your destination is a European country that’s party to the Hague Apostille Convention Abolishing the Requirement of Legalisation for Foreign Public Documents, you won’t need to visit embassies or endure a multi-step legalisation process.

Instead, your Australian documents only need a single official certificate—called an Apostille—issued by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).

This simplified process has saved time, money, and stress for thousands of Australians. But knowing which documents require an Apostille, how to prepare them correctly, and what mistakes to avoid is key to ensuring smooth acceptance overseas.

What Is the Hague Apostille Convention?

The Hague Apostille Convention, formally known as the Hague Convention Abolishing the Requirement of Legalisation for Foreign Public Documents, is a multilateral treaty between more than 120 countries. It was created to eliminate the need for embassy legalisation when verifying official documents for international use.

Instead of legalising documents through multiple authorities, member countries only require an Apostille certificate issued by the originating country’s competent authority. In Australia, this is DFAT.

Once your Australian document is Apostilled, it becomes legally valid for official use across all other Hague Convention countries.

What Is an Apostille, and Why Is It Required?

An Apostille certificate is an official certificate issued by a designated authority—in Australia’s case, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT). It confirms that a document has been signed by an authorised public official, such as a notary public or a government registrar.

Once affixed, the Apostille confirms the document’s legitimacy and makes it legally valid in any of the 124+ Hague Convention member countries, including:

·       France

·       Germany

·       Spain

·       Italy

·       Netherlands

·       Poland

·       Sweden

·       United Kingdom

·       And many others across the EU and EEA

View the full list of member countries here: The Hague Apostille Convention

Types of Documents That Can Be Apostilled

To be accepted in Europe, the document must originate from a recognised Australian authority and, in some cases, be notarised by an Australian Notary Public.

✅ Personal Documents

·       National Police Certificate (used for visas and residency permits)

·       Birth, marriage, and divorce certificates

·       Death certificates

·       Passport copies (notarised)

·       Medical declarations (for work or visa medicals)

✅ Educational Documents

·       Degree certificates

·       Transcripts

·       Enrolment letters and confirmation of graduation

·       Academic records via My eQuals (Authentifier handles these directly)

✅ Business Documents

·       Company’s Constitution

·       Certificate of Incorporation

·       Board resolutions and shareholder statements

·       Power of Attorney

·       Business contracts and agreements

·       ASIC extracts

Each of these can be processed through DFAT, provided they are original or properly notarised copies accompanied by a Notarial Certificate.

Step-by-Step: How the Apostille Process Works

Legalising documents for use in Europe is far simpler than countries requiring embassy attestation. Here’s how Australians can complete the process:

Step 1: Prepare or Notarise the Document

Certain documents, such as those issued directly by government agencies (e.g. birth certificates or police checks), do not need notarisation and can go straight to DFAT. Others, like academic or business documents, often require notarisation.

A Notary Public in Australia will review the document, confirm its authenticity, and issue a Notarial Certificate.

Step 2: Submit to DFAT for Apostille

Once notarised (if required), the document is submitted to DFAT, which verifies the notary’s signature or the issuing authority. If approved, DFAT attaches an Apostille certificate—a secure sticker and signature verifying the document.

After this, your document is ready for use in any Hague Convention country without further embassy involvement.

How Apostille Compares to Attestation

Unlike countries such as the UAE or Qatar (which require embassy attestation), Apostille countries skip embassy legalisation entirely. The Apostille simplifies your compliance process and speeds up timelines.

✅ For Hague Convention countries (like Germany):

 Only DFAT Apostille required.

❌ For non-Hague Convention countries (like Saudi Arabia):

 Requires notarisation, DFAT authentication, and embassy legalisation.

This distinction is critical. Submitting the wrong type of legalised document can delay your visa, business application, or university registration.

Where Apostilled Documents Are Used in Europe

 Education

If you're studying in Spain, Italy, or France, the university will request an Apostilled degree and academic transcript.

Employment

Work visa applications in Germany, the Netherlands, and the UK often require an Apostilled National Police Certificate and education records.

Marriage

If you're getting married in a European country, you may need Apostilled copies of your birth certificate, passport, and a certificate of no impediment.

Business and Investment

Opening a business in Ireland or Portugal? You'll need Apostilled corporate records and proof of identity for directors and shareholders.

How Authentifier Simplifies the Apostille Journey

Authentifier specialises in helping individuals and businesses prepare, verify, and Apostille their Australian documents for use overseas—especially in Hague Convention countries like those in Europe.

Here’s what Authentifier provides:

✅ Review of your documents to ensure Apostille eligibility

✅ Coordination with DFAT for Apostille issuance

✅ Notarisation services through our experienced Notary Public team

✅ Fast turnaround—typically within 5–7 business days

✅ Support for personal, academic, and corporate documents

✅ Status updates and full transparency

✅ Exclusive integration with My eQuals for digital academic credentials

Whether you’re a job seeker with Australian qualifications, a student applying to a European university, or a company registering abroad—Authentifier ensures your paperwork is ready, accurate, and accepted.

With Authentifier, you can be confident that every document is prepared, reviewed, and Apostilled in full compliance with European requirements. Call now to get started.

About the Author

The author is a legalisation and international compliance writer specialising in cross-border document requirements. With a background in regulatory research and experience writing for global mobility and international education sectors, they focus on demystifying Apostille, attestation, and authentication processes for individuals and organisations navigating global transitions.