ශ්රී ලංකා ප්රජාතාන්ත්රික සමාජවාදී ජනරජයේ මහ කොමසාරිස් කාර්යාලය, කැන්බරා, ඕස්ට්රේලියාව
இலங்கை ஜனநாயக சோஷலிசக் குடியரசின் உயர்ஸ்தானிகராலயம், கன்பரா, ஆஸ்திரேலியா
The High Commission of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, Canberra, Australia
Certification, Authentication and Attestation of Documents
1. Where to Apply
Sri Lankan nationals residing in Australia, Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands and Samoa can forward their applications with required documents to the Sri Lanka High Commission or Consulate General Offices according to jurisdiction.
| Jurisdiction / region | Office / address |
| Papua New Guinea (PNG), Fiji, Vanuatu, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Western Australia (WA), Northern Territory (NT), Australian Capital Territory (ACT), New South Wales (NSW), Queensland (QLD), | Sri Lanka High Commission, 61 Hampton Circuit, Yarralumla, Canberra, ACT 2600, Australia |
| Victoria (VIC), South Australia (SA), Tasmania (TAS) | Sri Lanka Consulate General in Melbourne. Refer to the Consulate website for current instructions. |
2. Applicable Fees and Payment
- Payments have to be made in cash, card or online transfer, according to the instructions provided by the High Commission.
- Applicants should have clear instructions from their lawyers in Sri Lanka on the number of copies required because each document is charged separately.
- Postage within Australia is AUD 10.00; outside Australia Courier services should be arranged by the applicant if required.
- Payments should be payable to the Sri Lanka High Commission. If applying in person at the High Commission, payment can only be made in cash and an official receipt will be issued.
- Money will not be refunded after issuance of the receipt. Personal and company cheques are not acceptable.
2.1 Fee Schedule Extract
| Service / document | Currency | Fee |
| Attestation, Certification and Authentication (Legalization) of Documents | ||
| Caveat order | AUD | 45.00 |
| Attestation of documents as a Justice of Peace | AUD | 100.00 |
| Swearing or affirming an affidavit | AUD | 100.00 |
| Administering an oath or affirmation | AUD | 100.00 |
| Attestation of a Power of Attorney or a Proxy | AUD | 100.00 |
| Issuance of a certified true copy | AUD | 18.00 |
| Attestation of a Last Will | AUD | 96.00 |
| Attestation of other documents except export documents and educational certificates - if the document owner is a Sri Lankan national | AUD | 64.00 |
| Attestation of other documents except export documents and educational certificates - if the document owner is a foreign national | AUD | 69.00 |
| Attestation of educational certificates | AUD | 18.00 |
| Attestation of a set of export documents | AUD | 89.00 |
| Other Documents | ||
| All certificates including Life Certificates furnished by Sri Lankan pensioners for pension purpose | Free | |
| Documents relating to burial or cremation of human remains of a Sri Lankan | Free | |
| Documents relating to the dispatch of human remains of a Sri Lankan | Free | |
| Issuance of a letter to repatriate human remains or ashes of an Ex-Sri Lankan | AUD | 45.00 |
| Issuance of all other letters or certificates - if the document owner is a Sri Lankan national | AUD | 64.00 |
| Issuance of all other letters or certificates - if the document owner is a foreign national | AUD | 74.00 |
| Confirmation of Sri Lankan Driving Licence to obtain EU or Foreign Driving Licence | AUD | 89.00 |
| Issuance of No Objection letter | AUD | 45.00 |
| Translation of Documents | ||
| Translation of a document - first 100 words, if the document owner is a Sri Lankan national | AUD | 64.00 |
| Every additional 25 words for the above translation | AUD | 11.00 |
| Translation of a document - first 100 words, if the document owner is a foreign national | AUD | 96.00 |
| Every additional 25 words for the above translation | AUD | 11.00 |
3. Sending the Application
Applications should be sent to:
The Sri Lanka High Commission
61 Hampton Circuit,
Yarralumla Canberra, ACT 2600
Australia
4. Attestation of Power of Attorney, Affidavit and Documents
4.1 Sri Lankan Citizens and Dual Citizenship Holders
Sri Lankans with valid Sri Lankan passports and visas, and Sri Lankan Dual Citizenship holders, are eligible to sign a Power of Attorney, Affidavit or documents in front of a Consular Officer at the Sri Lanka High Commission. Applicants should make an appointment with the Consular Section in advance. https://canberra.embassyonline.lk/auth/login
| Tick | Required item | Notes / action |
| [ ] | Original Power of Attorney / Affidavit prepared in legal format | Include two photocopies. |
| [ ] | Original Passport / National Identity Card / original Dual Citizenship Certificate | Include two copies. |
| [ ] | Current visa status | Provide evidence of current visa status. |
| [ ] | Letter of request with contact details | Include telephone number, email address, and postal address. |
| [ ] | Fee | AUD 100.00 per document. Payment has to be made in cash when applying in person. |
- No any withness required for the Power of Attorney.
4.2 Non-Sri Lankans
Applicants who are non-Sri Lankans have to sign their documents in front of their respective Foreign Ministry / Department before submitting the documents to the High Commission for attestation purposes.
4.3 Submitting Power of Attorney, Affidavit and Documents for Attestation by Post
| Tick | Required item | Notes / action |
| [ ] | Formal request letter addressed to the High Commission | Include complete contact details. |
| [ ] | Certified copies of Sri Lankan passport and current visa | Australian passport holders must include a copy of their Australian passport and have the POA authenticated by the Australian Passport Office / Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT). |
| [ ] | NZ passport / NZ authentication where applicable | If holding an NZ passport, the NZ passport copy and POA must be authenticated by Internal Affairs, NZ. |
| [ ] | Dual Citizenship certificate where applicable | Dual citizens should provide certified copies of the Dual Citizenship certificate with current Sri Lankan or foreign passport. |
| [ ] | Power of Attorney document signed by the applicant | If the applicant is not an Australian citizen, signature must be certified by a Justice of the Peace. |
After receiving the documents, the High Commission will provide fee details and bank information for online payment.
5. Attestation, Legalisation and Certification of Documents Issued by the Sri Lankan Government
- Applicants must submit original documents authenticated by the Consular Division, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Sri Lanka, with two photocopies.
- Documents not authenticated by the Consular Division, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Sri Lanka will not be accepted for these purposes.
6. Translation of Documents
- Certificates issued in Sri Lanka can be translated from Sinhala / Tamil to English or vice versa upon request by the applicant.
- Required documents include the original certificate with two photocopies, original passport with a copy, and a letter of request mentioning the purpose.
- Applicants must enquire about the possibility and possible time frame in advance before sending documents for translations.
7. Certification of Life Certificates of Sri Lankan Pensioners
- Attestation or certification of signatures on pension documents / Life Certificates, or counter-signing thereon, may be exempted from payment at the discretion of the Head of Mission.
- Attestation of signature on other Sri Lankan official forms or counter-signing of such signatures may also be exempted from payment at the discretion of the Head of Mission.
8. Request for Extension of Abroad Leave
- Sri Lankan Government Officers submitting requests for extension of overseas leave can forward requests to the respective authorities in Sri Lanka through the High Commission.
- Required documents include a covering letter addressed to the Sri Lanka High Commission / respective Head of Department, a copy of passport, and visa status.
9. Letter of Authentication of Sri Lankan Driving Licence
- A letter of authentication of a Sri Lankan Driving Licence will be issued after verification of the licence from the Motor Commissioner, Department of Motor Traffic, Sri Lanka.
9.1 Supporting Documents for Verification of Name in the Driver's Licence
| Tick | Required item | Notes / action |
| [ ] | Request letter addressed to the Commissioner General, Department of Motor Traffic, Sri Lanka | Include complete contact details. |
| [ ] | Copies of both sides of current Driver's Licence | Provide clear copies. |
| [ ] | Certified copies of Sri Lankan Passport | Bio data page and observation page. |
| [ ] | Copy of valid visa | Current valid visa copy. |
| [ ] | Certified copy of Dual Citizenship Certificate | If applicable. |
10. Special Notes
- Translations will not be accepted as originals.
- All photocopies must be on A4 size paper.
- The Sri Lanka High Commission will not take responsibility for documents lost or delayed in the post. Courier services should be arranged by the applicant if required.
- Money will not be refunded after issuance of a receipt.
- Personal and company cheques are not acceptable.