Contact us

Before contacting the Embassy or our Consulates, please check if the answer to your question is already available below.

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)

Visas for Australia

Q: How do I apply for a visa to Australia?

• To apply for a visa to Australia, click here.

Q: I have a question about Australian visas, can you help me?

• No. The Embassy does not manage public enquiries regarding:
  • Visas
  • Migration and resettlement to Australia
  • Customs
  • Australian Citizenship (for citizenship certificates, etc. – see here)

You will not receive a response from us if your email relates to the above topics.

For visa questions please contact [email protected] or call Home Affairs on +61 2 6196 0196 (for interpreter, press 6 – and wait).

• For Biometric appointments, click here.
• For Biometric problems, please contact VFS Global here.
• To provide feedback or to lodge a complaint about visas, click here or email [email protected]

Visas for Türkiye, including transit visas

Q. How do I apply for a Turkish visa?

• Apply for a Turkish e-visa via the Turkish Government’s official website here
• For other queries, see FAQs here. 
• For transit visas, see here.

Q. Where do I get information on visas for other countries?

• Please contact the relevant Embassy representing that country. See here.

Australian Passports – renewals and new applications

Q: How do I apply for or renew my Australian passport?

• Please see our step-by-step instructions on how to apply for or renew your Australian passport here.

Q: How do I book a passport appointment?

• Appointments are booked online here.

Q: Do I need an appointment to collect my passport?

• No, appointments are not necessary for passport collection. You can collect your passport Monday-Friday 9:00-12:30 and 13:30-16:30. Please bring photo ID for entry into the Embassy and your current passport for cancellation purposes, if applicable.

Notarial Services

Q: What notarial services are offered by the Embassy?

• Notarial services, such as certified copies, witnessing signatures, Certificates of No Impediment to Marriage (CNI), or affidavits are offered in person and by appointment only at the Australian Embassy Ankara and the Consulate-General in Istanbul. A fee applies for all services – see here.

For more information and to make an appointment, click here.

Q: Can the Embassy put an Apostille on my document?

• Yes, we can affix an Apostille on most documents that qualify as ‘Australian public documents’. Special rules apply to the authentication of educational documents. We may be able to assist with this service by post, see here.

Witnessing Wills

Q: Does the Embassy provide witnessing services for wills?

• Yes. You can sign your will at the Embassy or Consulates. Our staff can witness you sign for a fee. Please note that we do not draft wills or offer legal advice on wills - we are only able to witness the signature. We recommend consulting a qualified legal professional to ensure your will meets all legal requirements. For further information, see Documents we can legalise | Smartraveller

Notary or JP?

Q: Your website says you can legalise my document (also known as 'apostille' or ‘authentication’) but only if an Australian Notary Public has notarised it first. What is a notary public? Isn't this just a Justice of the Peace (JP)?

• A Notary Public and a Justice of the Peace are not the same. Here’s the difference: 
  
  Justice of the Peace (JP)
  A JP in Australia is typically a volunteer authorised to perform tasks such as witnessing signatures and certifying true copies within Australia. While a JP can witness many kinds of domestic documents, their authority is not internationally recognised for the purpose of legalising, authenticating or placing an apostille on documents destined for use overseas.
  
  Notary Public
  A Notary Public in Australia is a legally trained professional (usually a solicitor) who has undergone further qualifications or appointments to act as a notary. A Notary Public’s signature and seal carry international recognition. When a Notary certifies a document, it signals to overseas authorities that the identity of the signatory and the authenticity of the document have been verified according to internationally accepted standards. You can find your closest notary on google. Each Australian state and territory has a different process for certifying notary publics, see Queensland as an example: Home - Society of Notaries of Queensland

Appointments

Q: Are appointments necessary for passport and notarial services?

• Yes, all face-to-face passport and notarial services at the Australian Embassy Ankara are offered by appointment only. Appointments must be booked online: Book Your Appointment.

How do I register my travel with the Embassy?

• We no longer ask you to register your trip with us, instead you can subscribe to receive updates on the destinations you are travelling to and through. See: No need to register.

Driver’s Licence Renewals

Q: How do I renew my driver’s licence while overseas?

The process for renewing your driver licence while overseas depends on the relevant State or Territory Government. We can witness signatures and endorse photos for driver's licence renewal forms but cannot renew the licences themselves.

Click below on the relevant State for the process:

• NSW
• VIC
• QLD
• WA
• SA
• ACT
• TAS
• NT

Australian Birth, Death, and Marriage certificates

Q: Can you give me a copy of my Australian birth, marriage, or death certificate?

• No. This is managed by State and Territory Governments. Apply for a copy through the official website of the relevant State or Territory Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages (BDM): Australian Birth, Death and Marriage Records.

The Embassy cannot obtain these certificates on your behalf.

Click below on the relevant State for the process:

• NSW 
• VIC
• QLD
• WA 
• SA
• ACT 
• TAS
• NT

Registering your foreign marriage in Australia

Q: How do I register my marriage in Australia?

• You can't register an overseas marriage in Australia. But in most cases, your marriage is legally recognised automatically. See: Going overseas to get married?
• If you are getting married in Türkiye, Georgia or Azerbaijan, you will need to check with the local authorities in that country what you need in terms of documentation. In Türkiye, you will be asked to provide a ‘Certificate of No Impediment to Marriage’, which we can provide you: Please see notarial services on our website to make an appointment.

Translations

Q: Does the Embassy provide translation services?

• No.

Police clearance certificates

Q: My employer has asked for a police clearance. Can you help?

• Police checks and certificates can be obtained from the Australian Federal Police here. If you need an apostille, please contact us.

Centrelink issues

Q: Can the Embassy assist with Centrelink issues?

• Unfortunately, the Embassy is not connected to any of Centrelink’s systems and cannot assist with payment issues.
   
• You need to contact Services Australia directly:

Call Centrelink:

• 00 800 6190 5703 (Free call from Türkiye), or
• +61 3 6222 3455 (call charges apply)

Write to Centrelink:

• Centrelink International Services
• PO Box 7809
• Canberra BC ACT 2610
• Australia

Q: I have not received my pension. What should I do?

• A: Unfortunately, the Embassy is not connected to Centrelink systems and is unable to provide assistance. Please visit Centrelink - Services Australia or contact Centrelink on 00 800 6190 5703 (toll-free number from Turkiye) to raise your enquiry.

Q: Can I sign my Centrelink proof of life certificate in front of a witness at the Embassy?

• Yes. You can sign your Centrelink proof of life certificate at the Embassy. An approved officer can witness you sign for a fee. Proof of life certificates must be signed witnessed in person and you must bring valid photo ID. Please see notarial services on our website. For other issues see: Retiring overseas.

Q: Can I transfer my social security contributions from Australia to Turkiye (SGK)?

• A:  Please visit International social security agreements - Services Australia to find out information about your enquiry. Alternatively, please contact the Turkish Embassy in Australia: [email protected] or +61 2 62 34 00 00.

Australian Taxation Office, including Superannuation enquiries

Q: Can the Embassy assist with tax enquiries?

• The Australian Embassy cannot assist with tax enquiries or superannuation issues. Contact the Australian Taxation office directly: www.ato.gov.au or if calling from overseas, phone +61 1300 306 105.

Australian Customs

Q: Can the Embassy provide guidance on customs-related enquiries?

• No. The Australian Border Force (ABF) handles these matters. For comprehensive information on what you can and cannot bring into Australia, see here.
• For further guidance, contact the Home Affairs Global Service Centre on +61 2 6196 0196 and select the number ‘5’ for customs-related enquiries.

Bringing Medication into Australia

Q: What are the rules for bringing medication into Australia?

• For details on which medication can and cannot be brought into Australia, see here and also check the Therapeutic Goods Administration website here.

Bringing Medication into Türkiye

Q: What are the rules for bringing medication into Türkiye?

• According to Turkish Customs:
  “With a medical report or prescription, you can bring a reasonable amount of medication you need for your personal treatment”.
• For further details see here or contact the Turkish Customs call centre: +90 312 444 8 482.
• For any other questions, we recommend contacting the Turkish Embassy in Australia for the latest advice: [email protected]

Q: What about Georgia and Azerbaijan?

• For Georgia: see here or contact the Georgian Embassy in Canberra: 
  [email protected]
   
• For Azerbaijan: please note that importation of many pain killers and other prescription narcotics available in Australia are subject to strict restrictions. You should avoid carrying or shipping these medications. If you must bring such medications, you should bring a medical report or letter and your prescription paperwork from a GP in Australia. For more information, contact the Azerbaijan Embassy in Canberra: [email protected]

Also see: Travelling with medication and medical devices.

Other enquiries

Q: Where can I find information on other topics related to travelling overseas?

• Smartraveller has many useful pages:

• Going overseas for a medical procedure? (medical tourism)
• Going overseas to live or work?
• Going overseas for international surrogacy?
• What happens if you die overseas and how you can prepare 
• Scams that affect travellers 
• Going overseas to backpack?
• Roads: driving or riding overseas?
• When things go wrong overseas…
   

Ankara Embassy

MNG Building
Uğur Mumcu Caddesi No: 88
Level 7
Gaziosmanpaşa 06700
Ankara
TÜRKİYE

Telephone: +90 312 459 9500 | Fax: +90 312 446 4827

Email contacts:

• [email protected] (for visa enquiries)
• [email protected] (for general enquries - not visa and citizenship enquires)
• [email protected] (Australian citizens only: consular, passports and notarial services enquries - not visa or citizenship enquiries)
   

Suzer Plaza
Asker Ocağı Cad. No: 15
Elmadağ Şişli 34367
Istanbul
TÜRKİYE

Telephone: +90 212 393 33 00 | Fax: +90 212 243 13 32

Email: [email protected] (Australian citizens only: consular, passports and notarial services enquries - not visa or citizenship enquiries)

Canakkale Consulate

Kolin Hotel
Boğazkent Mevkii L-2
Kepez
Çanakkale
TÜRKİYE

Telephone: +90 286 218 1721 | +90 531 886 5187 | Fax: +90 286 218 1724

Email: [email protected] (Australian citizens: consular and notarial services enquries - not visa or citizenship enquiries)

Office Hours and Public Holidays

The Australian Embassy and Consulates in Turkey are open 08:30 – 12:30 and 13:30 to 17:00, Monday to Friday.

Consular services operate between 08:30am – 4:45pm.

The Embassy and Consulates close for the following public holidays in 2025