Obtaining Austrian Documents
Austrian citizens may ask the Austrian Embassy in Canberra, if need be, to help them obtain civil documents (subject to consular fees).
Please note: Due to strict Austrian privacy laws, documents and official certificates can be requested only by the person concerned, the spouse, the children, and the parents. Thus, the following information must at least be included in the request:
- Purpose for which document is needed,
- Relationship to the person whose record is requested,
- Proof of that relationship by sending e.g. copy of your passport, copy of marriage certificate etc.
Non-Austrian citizens should contact their respective embassy or consulate. The Austrian Embassy in Canberra is not authorized to assist non-Austrian citizens in obtaining civil documents from Austria. However, you may directly contact the competent authority in Austria.
Documents from Austria
a) Civil Documents (Certificates of Birth, Marriage, and Death)
Please contact the local Civil Registry Office (Standesamt) of the village/town/city concerned and request the document you are looking for to be issued on an "international" form (to avoid any translation hassles later on). The addresses and phone numbers of all Civil Registry Offices in Austria are listed in the Austrian phone directory Herold and at Austrian Government Help Website.
Please note that until 1938 (in Burgenland until 1895) the registration of births, marriages, and deaths was done by the local churches and religious communities. From 1870 to 1938, civil documents of individuals without a religious affiliation were issued by the county government. In the province of Burgenland, civil documents have been issed by the towns and villages since 1895.
Tip: Civil documents issued by Austrian authorities in general need an "Apostille" to be both valid and recognized in Australia or New Zealand. Thus, please do not forget to apply for an "Apostille" as well when requesting an Austrian civil document. For further information see "Authentication".
b) Driver's License
The replacement of a lost or stolen Austrian driver's license can be applied for directly at the issuing authority in Austria. If applied for at the Embassy additional consular fees of € 42.- will be charged.
The necessary forms (for download) and the addresses of the competent authorities are to found at the Austrian Government Help Website. Your replacement driver's license will then be sent to the Embassy (or Honorary Consulate) where you can pick it up - you must come to the Embassy/Consulate in person - after having paid the fees.
c) Other documents and certificates
Police Clearance Certificate (criminal record) from Austria can be requested via the Austrian Embassy or one of the Honorary Consulates. Further information can be found by following the link to "Police Clearance Certificate."
Copies of Austrian divorce decrees can be obtained by directly contacting the District Court which has issued the decree. It is recommended to call first. Addresses and phone numbers are listed at the above link.
Personal Identity Cards ("Personalausweis"; some countries accept them as travel documents) und Identity Cards ("Identitätsausweis"; valid in Austria only) are issued by authorities in Austria and can also be applied for at the Austrian Embassy. For more information please follow the links above.
