Apostilles of documents, witnessing signatures or certifying photocopies
The Consular section of the Australian Embassy in Lisbon operates by appointments only from 10am - 11.30am and 2pm - 4pm, Monday to Friday. The Embassy is closed on the following public holidays.
Apostille of The Hague (Apostila de Haia)
Australia and Portugal are co-signatories to The Hague Convention Abolishing the Requirement for Legalisation of Foreign Public Documents, which allows for the simplification of the formal authentication process for public documents.
An apostille is a statement placed on a public document that verifies the country of origin of the document, the identity of the signature/seals/stamps which appear on the document, and the capacity in which the person signing the document has acted.
The Australian apostille is placed on the original Australian document. You will need to confirm with the relevant authorities in Portugal whether they require an apostille on an Australian document in order to recognise a public document.
Please contact us to confirm if your Australian document can be legalised by the Embassy with an Apostille of the Hague.
Please click here for further information.
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Witnessing signatures on documents and statutory declarations
Australian Embassy consular officers can witness signatures on documents. You will be asked to provide original identity documents, such as your passport or driver’s licence.
For statutory declarations, please complete the statutory declaration (do not sign) and have it ready for an officer to witness at the Australian Embassy in Lisbon.
For a copy of a blank statutory declaration form, please click here.
Please note that a fee will be charged for the above services.
Should you require the services of a consular officer to witness your signature, please contact the Embassy to confirm whether the officer will be available on the day of your appointment.
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Certifying photocopies of documents
Australian Embassy consular officers can also certify photocopies of original Australian documents and original foreign documents intended for use in Australia. A certified copy of a document confirms in English that the photocopy is a true copy of an original document sighted. It is an Australian requirement that you bring the original(s) document(s) to be certified.
You can also send via registered mail to the Consular Section at this Embassy the original document(s) to be certified. Please attach a note to the document(s) confirming you require a certified copy, as well as include your full return address and a contact mobile telephone number. We will then return your original document(s) and the certified copy by mail.
Please note that a fee will be charged for this service.
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Instructions for Notarial Services
Please ensure documents relating to the notarial service you require from us are presented in the correct form and that you are able to provide the correct instructions.
If you are unsure of the legislative requirements relating to the notarial service you are requesting, we suggest you seek independent legal advice.
Please note that neither the Australian Government nor the Australian Embassy in Portugal guarantees the legal effectiveness of the notarised document or the accuracy of its content.
Fees paid for notarial services are non-refundable.
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Overseas Notarial Services
The following link provides further information regarding overseas notarial services for clients:
http://www.smartraveller.gov.au/services/legalising-documents-overseas.html
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Fees
Please confirm fees for service for the current month.