rushmere

Hi, I'm just setting off on the long long road to submitting an on-line application, and I'm trying to get together everything I need.

I've read a few threads suggesting that if you have colour scans of documents, then you don't need to get them certified as true copies. However, I can't see anywhere on the DIAC website where it states that this is definitely acceptable. Can anyone point me in the right direction please to satisfy my natural tendency towards total paranoia and scepticism?

Does this apply to all documents? For example, can I just scan my passport and birth certificate in colour and not have to get a copy certified? Given that I've been quoted an outrageous £25 per signature from my local Magistrates Court, this could save me a very substantial amount of money!

alipally

I scanned my originals as per it says on the document checklist...l I have a visa, other Sept applicants who've done the same also have a visa.... so it must be OK!

Hope that this helps a bit!

Ali x

rushmere

Ah, that explains it - that must be the checklist that you get emailed to you after starting the on-line application? If so, that would explain why I can't find it, as I haven't started the application yet!

Thanks!

alipally

It's not emailed to you. You need to download the information booklet (I think it's booklet 6, you can find it here:
http://www.immi.gov.au/allforms/booklets/books6.htm

and once you've paid your money at the online application you get to the document checklist after that.... you can't upload until they have your money!!

Hope this helps

Jopad

I was also quoted £25 per signature, ring around your local solicitors as I found one in London who charges £2 per signature

allankate

I think this is what you are looking for:-

http://www.immi.gov.au/contacts/visa...fessionals.htm

i.e. The department accepts scanned copies of the original document (non-certified) provided they are IN COLOUR and in PDF, JPEG, TIFF or BMP file formats. If you scan documents in black and white, then they must be scanned copies of the certified copies.

Happy scanning

Allan

rushmere

Fantastic - thanks, that's exactly what I was looking for. I guess that just leaves me to get certified copies for the ACS skills assessment!

rushmere

Excellent - thanks, that's exactly what I was looking for!

I guess that just leaves me with getting certified copies for the ACS Skills Assessment. Isn't it ironic that the Australian Computer Society is the only part of the process that can't be done electronically and has to be printed and sent by post!

Jopad - I'll start looking for a solicitor instead. £2 per signature sounds a lot more reasonable.

Simon.and.Kate

Sweet Jesus! Are you sure that wasn't a 'one off fee' for all you documents?

I've uploaded my docs as colour scans, but still needed copies for my skills assesment and teacher registration. I used yell.com to search for all the solicitors in the local area and phoned round. I found one that's on the way home from work that will certify a document for £1...

rushmere

They were very specific - definitely £25 per signature. I find it pretty distasteful that they could charge so much for doing so little. I'll be following your example and shopping around!

Simon.and.Kate

Yup - that seems ridiculous. I'm sure that I'd read somewhere that the court might be a cheaper option, as they charge a one of fee to cover the time, rather than per sheet...

We just had lots of solicitors closer than going into town, and when I shopped around and found a local for £1 a sheet, I never bothered looking into the courts...

I had:
30 documents for my skills assessment, and
25 for my teacher registration

at £25 each, that would have been £1,375! A bit different to the £55 I did pay. Definately get shopping!

dcampbell

thank god someone else asked that question, my solicitor in belfast quoted me 25 quid a signature as well, tight you know what. I think ill scan colour copies too!xxx

Denise xx

fly2hi

My daughter had a load done at a chemist in Perth, $1 each, but they only charged $5 for 8 forms. We've had lots of others done locally. Post office = no charge, chemist = no charge. Isn't it refreshing when you don't have that 'ripped off' feeling all the time.

suziegaz

hi
i contacted my local magistrates court who quoted £25 for signing all my documents and there was a load for ANMC.

when i got there the maistrate took me into his chambers and signed all forms it took him about an hour cause there was so many lol..............and when i was leaving he never asked me for a penny......so i got it all done for free lol

i would defo check out the courts again, if not i hope you find someone who has more reasonable costs
suzie

ice mocha

LOL I just go to our local solicitor, and he charged £5 for the 1st one, then just £2 ea after
But if you have loads, then he just like charged £10 for the lot!
Did you know they pocket the money? So.. its like a little extra for a bit of their time!!
£25 is disgraceful!!