Authentication

An "authentication" is a governmental act by which a designated public official (e.g. consular officer at an embassy or a consulate) certifies to the genuineness of the signature and/or seal and the position of the person/official who has executed, issued, or certified (a copy of) a document.

Authentication service is also provided by Honorary Consulates.

The Austrian Embassy or Consulate can provide authentication for:

1. Signatures (e.g. on agreements, contracts etc. if the document is to be used in Austria) 
2. Transcripts and copies (stating that original and copy are identical)

Please note:

• The Embassy/Consulate does not provide translation services.
• The verification of the accuracy of a translation is not the responsibility of the Consulate.
• The Embassy/Consulate is not responsible for the content of a document.
• The person asking for authentication services must provide proper ID (e.g. passport).

Foreign public documents usually require an authentication by the relevant foreign authorities to be recognized by Austria.

The "1961 Hague Convention Abolishing the Requirement of Legalization for Foreign Public Documents" stipulates that signatory countries (including Austria, Australia, New Zealand, Fidschi, Tonga, Samoa and Vanuatu) agreed to mutually recognize each other's "public documents". Thus, these documents need no prior legalization by an embassy or consulate of the other country.

Public documents are:

• documents issued by judicial authorities, including those emanating from public prosecutors, court clerks, and process servers (e.g. divorce decree)
• administrative documents (e.g. birth, marriage certificates)
• police clearance certificates (police check)
• official certificates affixed to documents signed by persons in their private capacity such as official certificates recording the registration of a document, notarial authentications of signatures etc.

Yet, all these public documents must be authenticated by an Apostille. An Apostille (French for "certification") is a form of internationally recognized notarization and ensures that public documents issued in one signatory country will be recognized as valid in another signatory country. The sole function of the Apostille is to certify the authenticity of the signature on the document in question; the capacity in which the person signing the document acted; and the identity of any stamp or seal affixed to the document. The Apostille must either be attached as an annex to the official document or placed on the document itself by means of a stamp. An Apostille is solely issued upon request.

Please note: An Apostille is required to ensure that

• Foreign (i.e. issue by Australia, New Zealand etc.) documents are recognized as valid in Austria
• Austrian public documents are recognized as valid in Australia, New Zealand etc. 

In Austria

• the Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs
• the Presidents of any Civil Courts of First Instances except for the Commercial Court and the Juvenile Court in Vienna
• the Governors or Governments of the Federal Provinces

Austrian public documents labelled "international" (e.g. international birth certificates, marriages certificates etc.) might not automatically be recognized as valid in other countries. In most cases, the document will additionally have to bear an Austrian Apostille stamp. Please verify with the relevant foreign authorities in advance if an Apostille is necessary.

In Australia

In Australia an Apostille may be obtained from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) or territory offices in Adelaide, Hobart, Darwin, Perth and Brisbane and the Australian Passport Offices in Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne and Newcastle.
For information on "Apostilles" see Smarttraveller.

In New Zealand

In New Zealand an Apostille can be obtained from the Authentication Unit, Department of Internal Affairs.

Last updated: 25.11.2011