Embassy and consulate legalisation
Legalisation for countries outside the Apostille Convention, handled through the embassies and consulates in Wellington and Auckland.
Some countries, including the United Arab Emirates, Vietnam and Egypt, do not accept apostilles. Documents for these countries go through a chain: authentication in New Zealand, then legalisation (sometimes called attestation) by the destination country's embassy or consulate.
Most embassies accredited to New Zealand are based in Wellington, and several countries also have consulates in Auckland. Each mission has its own forms, fees, opening hours and translation rules. We deal with them every week, so your documents are lodged correctly the first time.
Typical documents
- Degrees and transcripts for employment abroad
- Marriage and birth certificates for family visas
- Police clearances for residence permits
- Commercial invoices and certificates of origin
- Company documents for opening a branch overseas
- Powers of attorney for property transactions
How it works
Send your documents
Upload scans or photos with the form, or email them to us. Tell us where the documents will be used.
Receive a fixed quote
We confirm the price, the steps involved and the delivery date, usually the same working day.
We do the work
Translation, certification, notarisation, apostille or legalisation, handled in the right order.
Get your documents
Certified PDFs by email and originals by tracked courier, anywhere in New Zealand.
Questions and answers
How do I know if my destination needs legalisation or an apostille?
Tell us the country and the purpose. We will confirm the requirement before you pay anything, because rules change and sometimes depend on the document type.
Can you legalise documents for a country with no embassy in New Zealand?
Yes. Where a country is represented from Australia or elsewhere, we route the documents through that mission or through our international network.
How long does embassy legalisation take?
It depends on the mission. Some embassies process documents in a few days, others take several weeks. We give you a realistic timeline with your quote.
Serving clients across New Zealand
Other services
Certified translation
Signed and stamped translations of personal, academic, legal and business documents, ready for Immigration New Zealand, universities, courts and government agencies.
Apostille & authentication
We arrange apostilles for New Zealand documents going overseas, including the notarisation that private documents need first.
Notary services
Certified true copies, powers of attorney, statutory declarations and affidavits for use overseas, arranged with a New Zealand notary public.
Document retrieval
We obtain official records on your behalf, from New Zealand registries and from overseas authorities through our international network.
Interpreting
Professional interpreters on site, by video or by phone, for legal, medical, business and community settings across New Zealand.
Request a free quote
Prices depend on the language, the number of pages, the certification needed and how quickly you need it. Send us the details and we will reply with a fixed quote.
Prefer email? Write to info@abc-offices.com