New South Wales state office

• NSW State Office
• Sydney Passport Office
• Newcastle Passport Office
• Authentications and Apostilles

Authentications and Apostilles

The Sydney Passport Office, Authentications Section can issue an Apostille or Authentication stamp that certifies the signature on a public document (for example, an Australian birth certificate) as part of the process for validating documents for use overseas.

More information about Authentications and Apostilles.

Processing and Lodgement Requirements

In most cases, the processing turnaround time for documents is THREE (3) working days. We do not have a same day service. Please refer to our frequently asked questions for information about document requirements.

You can lodge your document over the counter at:

Sydney Passport Office
Level 7
26 Lee St
Sydney NSW (near Central Station)
Phone: +612 9207 6904
Fax: +612 9207 6930
Email: notarialsnsw@dfat.gov.au

Office hours: 9:00am to 1:00pm - Monday to Friday - No appointment is necessary

You can collect your document after three working days or have it posted to you. If you would like it posted registered or express mail, please provide the envelope at the time of lodgement.

Alternatively you can post your documents to us at the postal address below, together with your payment and a completed Notarial Request form: Word version | PDF version

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Authentications Section
GPO Box 9807
Sydney NSW 2001

Certificates of No Impediment (CNI)

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade cannot advise on the specific requirements which may need to be met in order for a marriage to be legal in a particular country. For exact details of what requirements will need to be met, persons wishing to marry overseas should contact the Embassy, High Commission or Consulate of the country in which they would like to marry.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade can issue a Certificate of No Impediment to Marriage (CNI) for marriage overseas. The CNI is usually issued by the Australian Embassy within the country where the marriage will take place. Whilst the Sydney Passport Office, Authentications section can issue a CNI, many countries will only accept CNIs issued by the Australian Embassy or Consulate within their country. If you are getting married overseas and would like your CNI issued from within Australia, you will need to confirm with the foreign government whether or not the CNI is required, if it can be issued from within Australia and if it needs any additional legalisation (Authentication or Apostille).

If you confirm that the foreign authority will accept a Certificate of No Impediment issued from within Australia, the application form is available on the Smartraveller website

You will also need to provide a certified copy of your Australian passport and proof of dissolution of any previous marriages (such as a divorce or death certificate).