AUSTRALIA
Apostille information in Australia
Designated competent authority(ies) to issue an apostille in Australia:
The Secretary to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade of the Commonwealth of Australia
Australian Embassies, High Commissions and Consulate (except Consulates headed by an Honorary Consul) will be empowered to issue Apostilles on original Australian public documents
Within Australia, Apostilles are issued by the Australian Passport Office in capital cities.
To comply with foreign requirements, Australian documents sometimes need additional government legalisation before they can be used overseas. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) provides a number of legalisation services to help Australian documents meet the requirements of foreign governments. If you have an Australian document that needs to be used in a foreign country or by a foreign government, you will need to contact that country’s embassy to check what their requirements are.
The services that DFAT can provide depend on whether you and your documents are in Australia, or already overseas.
Address
R.G. Casey Building
John McEwen Crescent
Barton, ACT 0221
Australia.
Telephone
+61 (2) 6261 1111
General Website
COOK ISLANDS
Apostille information in Cook Islands
Designated competent authority(ies) to issue an apostille in Cook Islands:
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration
Address
P.O.Box 105
2nd Floor
Cold Store Building Avarua
Rarotonga
Cook Islands
Telephone
+682 29347
FIJI
Apostille information in Fiji
Designated competent authority(ies) to issue an apostille in Fiji:
the Permanent Secretary of
the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation
What is an Apostille?
When a document is to be used in a foreign country, it may be necessary to have the document authenticated. An authentication certifies the signature and the capacity of the official who has executed the document.
The authentication may also authenticate the seal of the official.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs & International Cooperation authenticates public documents originating in the territory of the Republic of Fiji for use in foreign countries.
Only public documents issued by the Government of the Republic of Fiji which are signed by a notary public or other public official (i.e. Court Clerk, Registrar General, Immigration or other State official), will be authenticated.
The country of destination determines whether the authentication is in the form of an “Apostille” or a “Certificate of Authentication”.
What type of certification must my document(s) contain before requesting an Apostille or a Certificate of Authentication from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs & International Cooperation?
Public Documents:
The Apostille Stamp applies only to public documents. The main examples of public documents for which Apostille are issued in practice include:
Registry Documents:
- Birth Certificate, Death Certificate, Certificate of Marriage, Certificate of Marital Status and Divorce (dissolution of marriage) certificates.
- Extracts from commercial registers and other registers; patents; court rulings; notarial acts and notarial attestations of signatures.
Education Documents:
- Educational documents submitted to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs & International Cooperation for an Apostille or Certificate of Authentication must first be certified by an official at the educational institution and Ministry of Education attesting that the document is an official record or a true copy of the original document. The official’s signature then must be notarized by a notary public.
Immigration: (Fiji passports only)
- Apostille Stamp / Certificate of Authentication is only embossed to the letter from Fiji Immigration Department after the verification / authentication of passport.
Other Documents:
- All other documents (such as a power of attorney & Police Clearance Certificate) must first be notarized.
Documents which do not require Apostille Stamp / Certificates of Authentication:
- The Apostille Convention neither applies to documents executed by diplomatic or consular agents nor to administrative documents dealing directly with commercial or customs operations (e.g. Certificates of Origin or import or export licenses).
How long will it take to process my request for an Apostille or Certificate of Authentication?
- The processing of documents submitted by mail or submitted in person is usually completed within 4 business days of receipt in this office.
- Please note that in an event of unavailability of authorizing signatories the processing of Apostille might take longer than 4 business days.
What is the Fee for an Apostille or Certificate of Authentication?
- Presently there are no fees for Apostille Stamp / Certificate of Authentication.
For further information please contact Sefanaia Korovou on 3239649 or Email sefanaia.korovou@foreignaffairs.gov.fj
Address
The Permanent Secretary
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation
Levels 1 & 2, South Wing
Bose Levu Vakaturaga Complex
87 Queen Elizabeth Drive
P.O. Box 2220
Government Buildings
Suva
Republic of Fiji
Telephone
(679) 330 9645
General Website
Fax
(679) 3310 473
NIUE
Apostille information in Niue
Designated competent authority(ies) to issue an apostille in Niue:
(a) the Attorney General
(b) the Financial Secretary
(c) Crown Counsel
(d) the Registrar International Business Companies
(e) Deputy Registrar International Business Companies
(f) the Registrar, High Court of Niue
(g) Secretary to Government
Attorney General
Address:
PO Box 75
Alofi
Niue
Phone: +683 4128
Fax: +683 4231
Financial Secretary
Address:
PO Box 36
Alofi
Niue
Phone: +683 4047
Fax: +683 4350
Crown Counsel
Address:
PO Box 40
Alofi
Niue
Phone:+683 4128
Secretary of Government
Address:
PO Box 40
Alofi
Niue
Phone: +683 4200
Fax: +683 4232
TONGA
Apostille information in Tonga
Designated competent authority(ies) to issue an apostille in Tonga:
Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Immigration & Citizenship, including certain Diplomatic Missions of the Government of Tonga.
The Consulate can certify any documents provided from the Tongan Government.
Please contact the office for more details and applicable fees.
TEL : 1 (650) 685-1001
ONE BAY PLAZA
1350 Old Bayshore Hwy, #610
Burlingame, CA 94010
Address
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Immigration & Citizenship
P.O. Box 821
4th Floor NRBT
Salote Road, Nuku’alofa
Kingdom of Tonga
The Secretary for Foreign Affairs & Principal Immigration Officer (Mr Viliami Va’inga Tone)
Telephone
+676 23 600
Fax
+676 23 360
Useful Links
VANUATU
Apostille information in Vanuatu
Designated competent authority(ies) to issue an apostille in Vanuatu:
1. The Department of Foreign Affairs;
2. The Vanuatu Financial Services Commission for public documents falling under its jurisdiction
Address
Vanuatu Financial Services Commission
Financial Services Centre
Bouganville Street
PMB No. 9023
Port Vila
Republic of Vanuatu
Telephone
+678 22247
General Website
www.vfsc.vu
Fax
+678 22242
Price
Single sided page document US$50;
Double sided page document US$100; and per copy certificate US$25
MARSHALL ISLANDS
Apostille information in Marshall Islands
Designated competent authority(ies) to issue an apostille in Marshall Island:
1. Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Marshall Islands,
2. Attorney General and Acting Attorney General,
3. Clerk and Deputy Clerk of the High Court,
4. Registrars and Deputy Registrars of Corporations,
5. Maritime Administrator and Special Agents thereof, and
6. Commissioner and Deputy Commissioners of Maritime Affairs or Special Agents thereof.
Address
R.G. Casey Building
John McEwen Crescent
Barton, ACT 0221
Australia.
Telephone
+61 (2) 6261 1111
General Website
NEW ZEALAND
Apostille information in New Zealand
Designated competent authority(ies) to issue an apostille in Australia
Department of Internal Affairs, Authentication Unit:
When you need to use a New Zealand document in another country, you might be asked to get the document apostilled or authenticated. Some countries call this legalisation. An apostille or authentication is an official government certificate that proves the signature, stamp or seal on a document is genuine.
Check the country you are using the document in
Whether you need an apostille or an authentication depends on the country your documents will be used in.
Check with the overseas organisation
You should also check if the overseas organisation asking for the document has specific requirements. For example, they might:
- only accept documents that were issued recently
- want the documents translated
- accept multiple documents as a set
- only accept original documents, and not notarised copies
- accept electronic apostilles or paper apostilles.
How to apply for an apostille ? You will have to complete the application form on this page https://www.govt.nz/browse/passports-citizenship-and-identity/proving-and-protecting-your-identity/use-your-nz-documents-overseas/#how-you-apply you will find more information about.
Address
R.G. Casey Building
John McEwen Crescent
Barton, ACT 0221
Australia.
Telephone
+61 (2) 6261 1111