Certified Copies

 

What are Certified Copies?

The Australian Embassy in Berlin and the Australian Consulate‑General in Frankfurt can issue certified copies of:

• Australian documents (such as Australian passports, birth certificates, or driver’s licences) 
• Documents for use in Australia (such as foreign passports, proof of address, or university qualifications)

Certified copies will be:

• issued using standard wording: "This is a true copy of the document presented to me". This cannot be changed.
• made from original documents only. We are unable to issue certified copies of copies or incomplete/damaged documents.
• taken on site (at the Embassy/Consulate-General). You do not have to bring your own set of copies.
• issued in accordance with the client’s instructions. Notarial staff cannot advise on which documents, or how many copies, should be certified.

Notarial officers cannot assess requirements on the client’s behalf. Should you be unsure about what is requested from you, we recommend contacting the requesting authority. 

How do I obtain Certified Copies?

• A (Berlin and Frankfurt): Apply in person by appointment only: Book an appointment (embassy.gov.au). A notarial officer will take payment and issue the certified copies on the spot. Please be advised that you might have to wait 10-15 minutes while the copies are being issued. Please choose this option if you need to have your identity verified as part of a broader notarial service that also involes witnessing of your signature (e.g. driver's license photo kit, property transfer).
• B (Berlin only): Apply by dropping off your original document at the Australian Embassy without appointment (this option is not available in Frankfurt). Your document and all required supporting documents (as per below) need to be enclosed in an envelope. You will leave the envelope with the security guards and your documents will not be assessed by a notarial officer on the spot. Once payment has been taken using the credit card details provided to us, the copies will be issued and you will be notified  when they are ready for collection. In special circumstances we issue simple certified copies by post. Please email [email protected] for further information.

DROP OFF:  If you wish to obtain a simple certified copy of your original document by dropping it off at the Australian Embassy in Berlin, please include the following documents and information (enclosed in an envelope):

1. The original document 
2. The credit card authorisation form
3. An informal letter listing the following information:
   • Full name of applicant
   • Email address
   • Phone number
   • Current residential address
   • Number of certified copies requested

   • Confirmation that the Notarial Fees list has been acknowledged, and that the client understands that notarial fees are non‑refundable.

The drop off address of the Australian Embassy Berlin is: 

Consular Team Berlin
Australian Embassy Berlin
Wallstr. 76-79
10179 Berlin

Fees & Turnaround Times

A list of current fees can be found here: Passport and Notarial Fees (embassy.gov.au). The Consular Fees Act 1955 (Cth) and the Consular Fees Regulations 2018 (Cth) set out the fees charged for notarial services. Fees are charged per document certified and copy issued (e.g. you require two certified copies of your passport and two certified copies of your birth certificate = 4x fee). The certified copies will normally be issued within 1-2 business days once received. Once the copies have been issued, you will receive an email notification with instructions regarding the collection from the Australian Embassy. An appointment is not required to collect documents. 

Postage

To return your document by post (a fee applies), please provide a return address and ensure that the recipient's name is clearly indicated on the door. Please be advised that documents can only be returned within Germany. Should you reside outside of Germany, please apply for the authentication/apostille at your nearest Australian mission. Clients who choose to have their document returned by post (DHL) do so at their own risk. The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade cannot accept responsibility for delays or items lost in the mail.