An Australian power of attorney often needs more than a translation before a foreign bank, registry or notary will act on it. This guide explains notarisation, legalisation and translation, and the order to do them in.
Last reviewed 30 October 2026 against official sources.
A power of attorney made in Australia is written in English and follows Australian law. An authority in another country may want two things before it acts on it: proof that the document is genuine, and a version it can read in its own language. Smartraveller, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) consular site, explains that some foreign authorities ask you to prove your documents are genuine, and that you may need them legalised, notarised, or both.
These are separate steps carried out by different people. Getting the order right saves you from paying for a step twice.
This matters for legalisation. DFAT lists Power of Attorney papers as an example of a private document, alongside contracts and wills. It says that a private document notarised by an Australian Notary Public becomes a public document, and that it cannot legalise private documents that have not been notarised, or documents that have only been certified by a Justice of the Peace.
In practice, that means a power of attorney going to a country that wants it legalised usually goes to a Notary Public first, then to DFAT.
DFAT legalises Australian public documents by applying either an apostille or an authentication certificate, and says it cannot tell you which one you need. Its advice is to ask the person requesting your documents, or an official from that country’s embassy, high commission or consulate in Australia. The Australian Embassy in the Netherlands explains that for countries that are not signatories to the Hague Convention, an authentication certificate is used, and that it serves the same purpose as an apostille.
Some authorities want the translation legalised as well. DFAT says it can legalise documents issued by a NAATI Certified Translator or Recognised Practising Translator. Its page lists the details a translation must carry, including the translator’s name and practitioner ID and the date of translation, and asks for a copy of the original document. Read that list before you book. DFAT also says that documents in a foreign language translated by an Australian Government-recognised translator other than NAATI may be legalised if they are first notarised.
Other authorities have their own rules about who may translate, or ask for the translation to be done in their country. If so, follow their instructions.
We are translators, not lawyers. We do not advise on how a power of attorney will operate in another country. Confirm the requirements with the receiving authority, the relevant embassy or a lawyer before you order. See our power of attorney translation page, or upload your documents for a quote.
We translate what your documents say. We do not advise on their legal effect, and we cannot confirm whether a particular court or agency will accept them. Please check requirements with the receiving body or your lawyer.
It depends on what the foreign authority asks for. Translating after legalisation means the notarial certificate and apostille are translated too. Some authorities instead want a translation that is legalised separately. Ask them first.
DFAT says it cannot legalise documents that have only been certified by a Justice of the Peace. A power of attorney is a private document and generally needs to be notarised before DFAT can legalise it.
The language of the authority that will act on the document. If a country has more than one official language, ask the authority which one it needs.
No. We translate the document as written. Its legal effect in another country is a question for a lawyer there.
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