Digital and Hard Copy AFP National Police Check Apostille DFAT

Swift Apostille
January 2025
5 min read

What is the difference between a digital AFP Police Certificate and a Hard-Copy AFP Police Certificate?

Both digital and hard copy certificates are originals and are accepted overseas.

Digital AFP National Police Certificates

Digital certificates are issued as a PDF and include a unique QR code that can be scanned to validate the certificate directly with the AFP online.

Refer to a sample of the digital police certificate below.

Digital Police Check Apostille

Hard-Copy AFP National Police Certificates

Hard-copy police certificates are printed on paper that includes:

  • a watermark of multiple images of a padlock with 2 keys visible when held up to the light
  • fluorescent tricolour threads on both sides of the document that glow blue, yellow and red when held under ultraviolet light
  • a border on the right-hand front of the document, printed in microtype, that can be read when viewed under magnification
  • images printed in heat-sensitive ink that fade or disappear under moderate heat or friction
  • hidden images printed in fluorescent ink that glow yellow when viewed under ultraviolet light
  • a screened background printed in solvent-reactive ink.

Refer to a sample of the hard-copy police certificate below.

Physical Police Check Apostille

Are both certificates accepted by DFAT for Apostille?

Yes, both types of certificates are accepted by DFAT for Apostille.

Are both certificates accepted overseas?

Yes, both types of certificates are originals and are accepted overseas. Nevertheless, we recommend confirming with the overseas party requesting the certificates if they have any specific requirements.

Which is the fastest certificate to be sent overseas?

Digital certificates are the fastest because:

  • digital certificates are sent directly to your email address by the AFP as soon as the application is finalised;
  • we can print the digital certificate for you. There is no need to deliver any hard-copy document to us;
  • the original source email from the AFP with the link to the digital certificate can. be forwarded to Swift Apostille for verification purposes.

Need an AFP National Police Certificate stamped with an Apostille?

We can have your digital National Police Certificates stamped with an Apostille certificate from DFAT. No need to deliver any hard-copy document to us. Simply upload your digital police certificate in our booking form and forward the original email from the AFP with the link to the digital police certificate and we'll get started right away. If the overseas party requesting the police check requires the hard-copy National Police Certificate to be stamped with an Apostille certificate, simply book online and we will send a complimentary express post label by email for delivery of the original hard-copy document to Swift Apostille.

To book an Apostille for an AFP National Police Certificate, follow this link to our booking form. Select "Police Certificate" as the document type.

Have any other questions?

Our booking platform will guide you through the Apostille process and automatically display the price based on your selections. Have any other questions? We're here to help - email us at support@swiftapostille.com.au

Please note that these guides are intended to provide a general guide and information and should not be relied upon as legal or other professional advice.

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If your document was originally issued electronically, we can print your document for completion of your services

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If your document was originally issued in hard-copy, we will provide a free express post label for use anywhere in Australia, or postage instructions

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We lodge your document with DFAT the same day we receive the document and all required information before 10am

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Request a scanned PDF of the completed document by email as soon as the document is completed

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We can post your document overseas via DHL Express Worldwide
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