Why do you need an Apostille for use in Belgium?
If your Australian documents are required in Belgium for official purposes, it is likely that they need to be authenticated before Belgium officials can accept such documents. The main pathway your Australian documents can be accepted is to get an Apostille for use in Belgium from DFAT.
Getting an Apostille for use in Belgium is required because both Australia and Belgium are members of the Hague Apostille Convention (1961). The Apostille Convention simplifies the process of legalising documents to verify their authenticity in member countries.
What is an Apostille?
An Apostille is an official certificate issued under the Hague Apostille Convention of 1961. The Apostille Convention established a standard procedure that member countries recognise, eliminating the need for further legalisation by consulates or embassies.
The Apostille certifies:
- the authenticity of the signature of the notary public on the document;
- the capacity in which the notary public signing the document acted; and
- the identity of the notary’s stamp or seal affixed to the document.
An Apostille ensures that a document (or a notarised copy of the document) issued in Australia is recognised as legal and authentic in Belgium.
Types of documents which require an Apostille for use in Belgium
Types of documents requiring an Apostille for use in Belgium commonly include the following:
- Personal documents such as:
- AFP National Police Clearance
- Birth Certificates
- Marriage Certificates
- Death Certificates
- Divorce Certificates
- Court Documents
- Australian Citizenship Certificates
- All other personaldocuments for official use
- Educational documents including:
- University Degrees/Diplomas
- Academic Transcripts
- Professional Qualifications
- TAFE/Vocational Certificates
- TEFL/TESOL Certificates
- Primary/High School Certificates
- Corporate & business documents including:
- Certificates of Good Standing
- ASIC Company Extract
- ASIC Company Registration
- Shareholders Resolutions
- Board of Directors Minutes
- Assignment & Trust Deeds
- Powers of Attorney
- Company Constitutions
- Export Declarations/ Invoices
- Certificates of Origin
- Commercial Licenses
- Agreements and Contracts
- ISO Certificates
- Financial Statements
- All ASIC, ATO & TGA documents
Steps to Obtain an Apostille for use in Belgium from DFAT
1. Identify Documents requiring an Apostille
Determine which document you need to be Apostilled. As described above, common documents include personal, educational, corporate and business documents.
It is always important to check the specific requirements of the Belgian institution or authority requesting the Apostille to ensure you meet all their criteria.
You should also make and keep copies of your documents, submitting the notarised copy of your Australian documents to DFAT for the Apostille for use in Belgium in case your documents get lost or destroyed.
2. Prepare Your Documents
Only Australian documents issued or certified by a recognised public authority or notarised documents can be Apostilled.
In Australia, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) is the competent authority for issuing Apostilles. The documents may be submitted in person or by mail to a DFAT office.
DFAT will only issue an Apostille for use in Belgium if your Australian documents meet the eligibility criteria for getting an Apostille.
3. Submit Documents to DFAT
In-person Submissions: Generally, you can visit any of DFAT’s State or Territory offices. Before visiting, it’s advisable to check the specific requirements and opening hours of the office you intend to visit.
Postal Submissions: Mail your documents along with a completed ‘Request for Legalisation Services’ form to DFAT. Include a pre-paid, self-addressed return envelope for the return of your documents.
4. Pay the Necessary Fees
DFAT charges a fee for issuing an Apostille for use in Belgium. Check the DFAT website for the current fee structure and payment methods. Ensure that payment is processed correctly to avoid any delays.
5. Await Processing
Processing times can vary depending on the volume of requests. Typically, in-person requests are processed more quickly than those submitted by mail.
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