Authentication
The Apostille process cannot be used where the country in which the documents will be used is not a party to the Hague Convention. The process is as follows:
- The original documents must be taken to a Notary Public in South Africa and must be signed in his/her presence. The Notary will then attach a certificate of authentication to the signed document or copy which will include the Notary’s signature, stamp and seal.
- The Notary will submit the authenticated documents to the High Court where he/she practices and the Registrar of the High Court will sign an authentication certificate authenticating the Notary’s signature.
- The documents will be sent to the legalisation section at the Department of International Relations and Co-Operation (DIRCO) in Pretoria, wherein they will authenticate the signature of the Registrar.
- The documents must be submitted to the embassy of the country in which they are intended to be used for their final authentication before being submitted to their intended destination.
Documents that require authentication
- Patents for international use
- Distribution agreements
- Power of Attorney
- Police clearance certificates
- Decree of divorce
- Home affairs documentation(birth, death and marriage certificates, change of name, passports and identity documents)
- Certificate of incorporation of company documents
- Academic documents( degrees, certificates and transcripts)
- Sworn translation certificates
- Adoption documentation
- Food and drug administration documents
- Consent letter for children to travel out of the country
- Doctor and Dentist applications for overseas appointments
- Land transfer documents
- Permission to travel out of the country in relation to minors
Whatever the nature, these important documents will enjoy the credibility they deserve once authenticated.
