The original adoption papers must be signed and stamped by the Presiding Officer / Commissioner of Child Welfare of the Children's Court or the Registrar of Adoptions at the Department of Social Development before submitting for legalisation

Basic Process when Documents are required by a country/authority who is a Member of the Hague Convention:

Basic Process when Documents are required by a country/authority who is not a Member of the Hague Convention:

Any and all medical certificates (proof of examination of a patient) must be signed and stamped by an authorised official at the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA). Every page of the examination/certificate must be stamped and signed to be legalized and verified as proof that the medical professional that completed the examination is legally registered with the HPCSA.

Please note: The actual X-rays, MRI scans, CAT scans, etc. are not legalized, the documents that provide the explanation of the results off the scans must be stamped and signed by the HPCSA.

Our offices are able to obtain a verification certificate on your behalf, we will require:

• The medical officer's practice number
• The medical officer's registration number with the HPCSA
• More than one original copy of the health certificate/examination/results (for duplicates)

Basic Process when Documents are required by a country/authority who is a Member of the Hague Convention:

Basic Process when Documents are required by a country/authority who is not a Member of the Hague Convention:

A letter of no impediment is a legal document issued by Home Affairs as proof of one's marital status i.e. single status. This document is usually required by other countries/authorities if you intend to enter into a marriage in that country.

The letter of no impediment document must be on an original, official Home Affairs letterhead, that must be signed and stamped by a Department of Home Affairs official from the Head Office. Letters issued from any Regional Home Affairs Offices are not acceptable as they are not stamped and signed by the authorised official (Head Office). The letter is only valid for six months from the date of issue, therefore, please ensure it is recently issued so that it is still valid when submitted to the specific country/authority.

Basic Process when Documents are required by a country/authority who is a Member of the Hague Convention:

Basic Process when Documents are required by a country/authority who is not a Member of the Hague Convention:

Police clearance certificates are required for a multitude of reasons, including visa applications. Essentially, a police clearance certificate’s purpose is to show a person’s “good standing” and lack of convictions within the country they reside.

In the instance where an individual does have a criminal record, the document is still valid, legal and used in applications. The specific country/authority requiring the certificate will decide whether the record is significant in the application.

Our offices are able to obtain a police clearance certificate on your behalf, we will require:

• A SAPS 91(a) fingerprint form,
• A certified copy of your ID/passport and
• A certified copy of your marriage certificate if you require your maiden name on the police clearance certificate.

Please Note: A Police Clearance Certificate is valid for differing time periods, depending on the country/authority that has requested it. Therefore if you are supplying us with the certificate for an Apostille or Authentication Certificate, please ensure it is recently issued so that it is still valid when submitted to the specific country/authority

Basic Process when Documents are required by a country/authority who is a Member of the Hague Convention:

Basic Process when Documents are required by a country/authority who is not a Member of the Hague Convention:

The original degree/diploma certificate must be verified by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA). A verification letter is attached to each degree/diploma certificate for legalisation. If You would like a copy of the certificate to be legalised it must be verified (signed and stamped) by the same official who verified the original. If the copy requires legalisation, it is essential that the copy with the original SAQA stamp and signature is submitted for apostille or authentication.

If a copy of the certificate is being stamped and signed by SAQA, the following requirement apply:

• The qualification on the certificate must be the same as the registered qualification on the SAQA NQF.

Our offices are able to obtain a verification certificate for Qualification Certificates, on your behalf, we will require:

• The original Qualification Certificate
• A certified copy of the Qualification Certificate
• A certified copy of the applicant’s ID/Passport

We are able to certify copies of your documents – please see “Other Services” for more information.

Primary and Secondary School Certificates

A transfer certificate must be signed and sealed by the executive/head of the particular school as well as the education district director or deputy. The certificate must include a letter of confirmation from the executive/head of the school that the pupil was a registered learner at the school . This must then be confirmed with a verification letter from the Department of Basic Education (DBE).

Our offices are able to obtain a verification certificate for Primary and Secondary School Certificates, on your behalf, we will require:

• The signed and sealed transfer certificate
• The letter of confirmation
• A certified copy of the applicant's ID/Passport

Matric Certificates

The original matric certificate and a copy must be submitted to the DBE for verification before it is submitted for an apostille or authentication certificate.

Umalusi Certificates

The original certificate along with a certified copy of the certificate and a certified copy of the applicant’s ID/Passport must be submitted to Umalusi for verification before it is submitted for an apostille or authentication certificate. Please ensure documents are not older than three months and that Umalusi is provided with the following information:

• Consular/Embassy /High Commission Name
• Consular/Embassy/High Commission Address
• Full name of individual requesting verification;
• Identification Number;
• Contact Number
• Email Address

Documents verified by Umalusi:

• The General Education and Training Certificate for Adults (GETC)
• The National Certificate: Vocational (NCV)
• The National Senior Certificate (NSC)
• The National Senior Certificate: Colleges
• The National Technical Certificate N3
• The Senior Certificate (offered before 2008)

Please note: If you have a certificate that was issued before 1992, Umalusi will not be able to verify your certificate, it will need to be verified by SAQA.

Our offices are able to obtain a verification certificate for Matric and Umalusi Certificates, on your behalf, we will require:

• The original certificate
• A certified copy of the applicant's ID/Passport
• Consular/Embassy /High Commission Name and Address
• Your contact details

We are able to certify copies of your documents - please see “Other Services” for more information.

Basic Process when Documents are required by a country/authority who is a Member of the Hague Convention:

Basic Process when Documents are required by a country/authority who is not a Member of the Hague Convention:

Certain teaching institutions i.e. institutions who offer the TEFL certification, are not registered with the DBE or Higher Education and Training Department. Therefore your certificate cannot be verified by such departments, and must be verified by a Notary or Registrar of the High Court.

Our offices are able to verify these Certificates for you based on our notary Services. Once Notarisation has occurred we are able to follow the apostille or authentication proceedings on your behalf.

Basic Process when Documents are required by a country/authority who is a Member of the Hague Convention:

Basic Process when Documents are required by a country/authority who is not a Member of the Hague Convention:

Translations are required by authorities who require a document in their language to fully understand its contents. It is essential that documents that require translation are translated by a sworn translator – this is an individual certified and listed by the High Court as a legitimate interpreter.

We are aware that an original document in English, French or German do not require any translation, however all documents in any other language require sworn translations. A sworn translation will have a stamp included as proof that the interpreter is registered with the High Court as a sworn translator. Only documents that include the stamp will be successfully apostilled or authenticated.

Our offices are able to provide services for sworn translations. Please contact us for more information.

Please Note: It is important to enquire with the country/authority that requires your documents whether they require a translated document – regardless of the above information provided.

A Notary/Notary Public is registered with the High Court for multiple roles, including verifying both government and non-government documents i.e. Certified copies, TEFL. A Notary will attach a certificate to your document stating it has been legalised by a registered Notary. The process is dependent on the type of document that requires a notarisation. As certain documents need to be signed in a particular way or need to be legalised for international use. Please contact us regarding these services.

Documents our offices Notarise include, but are not limited to:

• Affidavits
• Birth Certificates
• Death Certificate
• Diplomas
• Divorce Papers
• Health Certificates or Applications
• Letters of No Impediment
• Copy of Passport, Driver's License or other Identification Documents
• Marriage Certificate
• Police Clearance Certificate
• Powers of Attorney
• School/Matric Certificate*
• University degrees*

KINDLY TAKE NOTE: The above list is merely a general list of documents we are aware of that Notarisation. It is important for you to confirm with the specific country/authority what information or documents are required to notarised.

*Institutions not registered with Governmental Departments i.e. SAQA, Umalusi, DBE

Basic Process when Documents are required by a country/authority who is a Member of the Hague Convention:

Basic Process when Documents are required by a country/authority who is not a Member of the Hague Convention:

Commissioner of Oaths:

A Commissioner of Oaths is an individual who is authorised to witness or administer affirmations or declarations i.e. Affidavits, as well as certify copies of original documents.

Please note: Original documents are required for all services by our Commissioner of Oaths.

Attestation:

Attestation is loosely defined as the legalisation of documents by an Embassy. Attestation usually occurs when a country/authority does not belong to the Hague Convention – however some countries/authorities who are members of the Hague Convention require certain documents to be attested as well as apostilled. Attestation occurs once documents have been apostilled or authenticated.

Our offices are able to submit your documents for attestation once your documents are apostilled or authenticated.

Please note: Each embassy has a different fee and waiting period for attestation - please ensure you enquire and consider both these factors.