How to Verify an Apostille Issued by DFAT (Australia)

If you’ve received a document with an Apostille from the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), it’s important to know how to verify that it’s genuine — especially if you’re submitting it to a foreign authority.

Why Verification Matters

  • Security and trust: Verifying an Apostille ensures the signature, seal or stamp on your document is legitimate and was issued by DFAT.
  • Avoiding fraud: It helps detect any fraudulent or incorrectly issued Apostilles.
  • Compliance: Many overseas authorities require Apostilles to be verified before accepting documents.

How to Verify an Australian Apostille

  1. Go to the DFAT Apostille Verification Portal
    DFAT provides an online portal where you can check Apostilles issued since 14 December 2015. Access it here:
    👉 DFAT Verification Portal:https://orao.dfat.gov.au/pages/verifyapostille.aspx

2. Enter the required details
On the portal, you’ll typically need to enter:

  • The Apostille number
  • The date of issue

3. Review the results
The portal will confirm whether the Apostille is valid, and usually provide details about the document and issuing office.

4. If it was issued before 14 December 2015
DFAT advises that Apostilles issued before this date cannot be verified online. In this case, you should contact your nearest Australian embassy, high commission, consulate, or a DFAT Passport Office for assistance.

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