If you’re moving to Saudi Arabia (KSA) with your family for work, diplomatic or corporate postings, you must prepare essential Australian documents with an Apostille. Birth certificates, marriage certificates and education credentials all require Apostille to meet Saudi visa and residency standards. Here’s what families holding Australian qualifications need to know.
Saudi Arabia and The Hague Apostille Convention
Saudi Arabia became a member of The Hague Apostille Convention Abolishing the Requirement for Legalisation of Foreign Public Documents (Hague Apostille Convention) on 7 December 2022. From that date onward, all public documents issued in Australia can be used in Saudi Arabia if they bear an Apostille from DFAT. Embassy attestation is no longer required for these documents.
Saudi officials now accept Apostilled documents directly, simplifying family visa intake, school admissions and residency procedures.
Documents Australians Often Need to Apostille
- Birth certificates for children or spouse identification
- Marriage certificate for spousal sponsorship
- Education credentials (degrees, transcripts, TAFE certificates) for school applications or professional registration
- Divorce or legal status documents, if applicable
- Police clearance certificate only if requested by Saudi authorities
All documents must be original or notarised before Apostille submission to ensure compliance and acceptance.
Step by Step Apostille Process for Families
1. Gather Original Australian Documents
Request official copies from relevant Australian authorities (registries, education institutions). Only original documents or notarised copies are eligible for Apostille.
2. Use a Notary Public in Australia
A Notary Public verifies your original documents and issues a Notarial Certificate, confirming authenticity. This step ensures DFAT will issue the Apostille without issue.
3. Submit to DFAT for Apostille
Lodge the documents in person or by post (with return envelope) with DFAT. DFAT issues an Apostille certificate, providing official authentication for use in Saudi Arabia.
4. Present Apostilled Documents in Saudi Arabia
Submit the Apostilled documents to Saudi authorities via your employer or regional visa office. Apostille suffices without embassy involvement.
Benefits of Apostille for Your Family Move
- Faster legalisation; no embassy queues
- Higher acceptance rates at Saudi visa offices, schools and institutions
- Streamlined processing under Vision 2030’s emphasis on expatriate engagement
- Legal clarity and proof of authenticity for Saudi authorities reviewing marriage, birth, and educational records
How Authentifier Supports Your Family’s Move to Saudi Arabia
At Authentifier, we deliver fast, end to end Apostille service tailored for Australian families relocating to Saudi Arabia.
Our support includes:
- Verifying that your documents are original or properly notarised
- Liaising with DFAT to issue Apostille certificates
- Ensuring your documents are suitable for visa or school use in KSA
- Providing express processing (typically within one week), transparent pricing, and progress updates through an online portal
Families benefit from peace of mind knowing their Australian documents are accurately authenticated and ready for use in Saudi Arabia.
