# FAQs: Attesting foreign documents to use in South Africa

> Frequently asked questions about legalizing foreign documents for submission to authorities in South Africa - birth certificates, marriage certificates, criminal record certificates, academic documents and other documents required for South African visa and citizenship applications.

**Source** [FAQs - Authenticating document to use in South Africa](https://www.isarey-document-attestation.com/South-Africa-certify-FAQs)>
**Related:** [Attest Documents for use in South Africa](https://www.isarey-document-attestation.com/Certify-documents-South-Africa) · [Apostille South African Documents for international use](https://www.isarey-document-attestation.com/South-Africa-Legalization-Services) · [Get a Quotation](https://www.isarey-document-attestation.com/Document-Attestation-Inquiry)

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## General Questions

### How can foreign documents be certified for official use in South Africa?
Documents issued in countries which are signatories to the Apostille Convention can be authenticated for use in South Africa by obtaining an apostille stamp from the authorities of the country of issue. This Apostille stamp should be recognised directly by South African authorities as confirming the document’s authenticity. Countries which issue apostilles include United Arab Emirates - Taiwan - Malaysia - Thailand - Qatar
Documents issued in countries which are not signatories to the Apostille Convention must be legalized in the country of issue and additional by the local South African embassy or consulate.


### Can foreign documents required for submission to South Africa be authenticated with an Apostille?
Yes - if the issuing country is a member of the Apostille Convention, then an Apostille Stamp issued in the issuing country will be accepted by South African authorities.


### What is South African embassy document attestation?
Document attestation by South African embassies is a procedure to legalize foreign documents that are required for submission to authorities in South Africa or in support of South African visa or citizenship applications. Normally the document must be legalized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the issuing country before being submitted to the embassy for attestation. A certified translation may also be required.
Since South Africa is a member of the Apostille Convention, documents issued by other countries that are signatory countries of the Apostille Convention can be legalized with an Apostille Stamp issued by the competent authority of the issuing country and do not require attestation by a South African embassy to use in South Africa.
[Check legalization procedures by country](https://www.isarey-document-attestation.com/country-list-authentications-apostilles)

## Other documents

### How can I certify a translation of a foreign document for use in South Africa?
A first option is to carry out a translation of the document in the country of origin. If the country of origin is a signatory to the Apostille Convention, a translation certified under local law can then be authenticated with an Apostille Stamp, giving the translation validity in South Africa.
If the originating country is not a member of the Apostille Convention and does issue Apostilles, a local translation will need to be certified by the originating country's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and by the South African embassy or consulate. The South African embassy may require a translation in any case in order to attest the original document. The embassy may have specific requirements for the translation, otherwise in most countries a locally certified, sworn or notarized translation can be authenticated by the originating country's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and then by the South African embassy, making it valid for use in South Africa.