Designated competent authority(ies) to issue an apostille in Fiji:

the Permanent Secretary of 
the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation

What is an Apostille?

When a document is to be used in a foreign country, it may be necessary to have the document authenticated. An authentication certifies the signature and the capacity of the official who has executed the document.

The authentication may also authenticate the seal of the official.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs & International Cooperation authenticates public documents originating in the territory of the Republic of Fiji for use in foreign countries.

Only public documents issued by the Government of the Republic of Fiji which are signed by a notary public or other public official (i.e. Court Clerk, Registrar General, Immigration or other State official), will be authenticated.

The country of destination determines whether the authentication is in the form of an “Apostille” or a “Certificate of Authentication”.

What type of certification must my document(s) contain before requesting an Apostille or a Certificate of Authentication from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs & International Cooperation?

Public Documents:

The Apostille Stamp applies only to public documents. The main examples of public documents for which Apostille are issued in practice include:

Registry Documents:

• Birth Certificate, Death Certificate, Certificate of Marriage, Certificate of Marital Status and Divorce (dissolution of marriage) certificates.
• Extracts from commercial registers and other registers; patents; court rulings; notarial acts and notarial attestations of signatures.

Education Documents:

• Educational documents submitted to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs & International Cooperation for an Apostille or Certificate of Authentication must first be certified by an official at the educational institution and Ministry of Education attesting that the document is an official record or a true copy of the original document. The official’s signature then must be notarized by a notary public.

Immigration: (Fiji passports only)

• Apostille Stamp / Certificate of Authentication is only embossed to the letter from Fiji Immigration Department after the verification / authentication of passport.

Other Documents:

• All other documents (such as a power of attorney & Police Clearance Certificate) must first be notarized.

Documents which do not require Apostille Stamp / Certificates of Authentication:

• The Apostille Convention neither applies to documents executed by diplomatic or consular agents nor to administrative documents dealing directly with commercial or customs operations (e.g. Certificates of Origin or import or export licenses).

How long will it take to process my request for an Apostille or Certificate of Authentication?

• The processing of documents submitted by mail or submitted in person is usually completed within 4 business days of receipt in this office.
• Please note that in an event of unavailability of authorizing signatories the processing of Apostille might take longer than 4 business days.

What is the Fee for an Apostille or Certificate of Authentication?

• Presently there are no fees for Apostille Stamp / Certificate of Authentication.

For further information please contact Sefanaia Korovou on 3239649 or Email sefanaia.korovou@foreignaffairs.gov.fj