How to Notarise an Australian Marriage Certificate
A notarised marriage certificate is a certified copy of your Australian marriage certificate, verified by a Notary Public as a true and accurate copy of the original. This is commonly required by overseas authorities for legal, immigration, residency, or family-related matters.
When is marriage certificate notarisation required?
You may be asked to provide a notarised marriage certificate when dealing with:
- visa or residency applications
- spouse or family sponsorship matters
- overseas government or civil registry requirements
- foreign property or inheritance matters
- international court or legal proceedings
What does notarisation involve?
Notarisation does not change or re-issue the marriage certificate. Instead, a Notary Public:
- sights your original marriage certificate
- confirms the document appears genuine
- certifies the copy as a true and correct copy
- applies their official seal and signature
This allows overseas authorities to rely on the document without seeing the original.
What you need to bring
Please ensure you have:
- your original Australian marriage certificate (issued by a Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages)
Note: Ceremonial certificates are generally not accepted for overseas use, and the Department of Foriegn Affairs and Trade (DFAT) do not accept these documents for legalisation
Step-by-step process
1. Book an appointment or walk in
Select “Get Started” on the website home page to receive a quote and a link to book an appointment with the Notary Public. Alternatively, you can call to book or visit our Perth office (no appointment required).
2. Attend in person
The Notary Public must physically sight the original marriage certificate.
3. Verification and certification
We will photocopy your document and the Notary Public will certify the copy with their official seal and signature.
4. Collection of notarised copies
Your document will be notarised on the same day as your appointment.
If you require an Apostille or Authentication, we can lodge your document with DFAT on the same day as notarisation, provided lodgement occurs before 1:00 pm.
DFAT Apostille and Authentication certificates are typically completed within three business days from lodgement. Once finalised, we will email you with a link to book a collection time or arrange postage.
Apostille or Authentication (if required)
Some countries require an additional step after notarisation:
- Apostille – for countries that are members of the Hague Apostille Convention
- Authentication – for countries that are not members of the Hague Convention
DFAT is the only authority in Australia authorised to issue Apostille or Authentication certificates.
Need help?
Please email support@notaryperth.com.au or call 0460 424 220 if you have any questions.