Notarial Authentication of Documents

1. Notarisation:

• Notarisation is a process where a notary public (me) verifies the authenticity of a document and the identity of the person signing it.
• The notary public (me) adds their official seal or stamp to the document, indicating its notarised status.
• Notarisation is typically required for various legal documents, such as affidavits, contracts, and powers of attorney.

2. Apostille:

• An apostille as a specialised form of authentication used for documents intended for use in foreign countries that are part of the Hague Apostille Convention.
• An apostille is issued by a designated authority in the country where the document was issued.
• It certifies the authenticity of the document and the signature of the issuing authority, allowing it to be recognised and accepted in other member countries without the need for further legalisation.
• Basically the two countries agree that they trust each other due to the apostille.

3. Purpose:

• Notarisation primarily serves as a means of verifying signatures and ensuring the authenticity of documents within a specific jurisdiction.
• On the other hand, apostille is specifically designed for international recognition and is used to simplify the process of accepting foreign documents in countries that are part of the Hague Apostille Convention.

4. Recognition:

• Notarised documents may not automatically be recognized and accepted in foreign countries without additional steps, such as legalisation or obtaining an apostille.
• Apostilled documents, however, are generally recognised and accepted in member countries of the Hague Apostille Convention without the need for further legalization.

5. Applicability:

• The need for notarisation or apostille depends on the requirements of the receiving country.
• Some countries may require notarisation, while others may only recognise apostilled documents or have different authentication procedures altogether.

An apostille is a special certification that validates the authenticity of a public document for use in another country.

Certain countries may require an apostille to recognise and accept your public document as valid.

• Your original document issued by the relevant authority.
• A copy of your identification document (e.g., passport or ID card) to prove your identity.
• Any additional supporting documents that may be required by the specific jurisdiction.

• Contact me as a qualified notary or apostille service provider.
• Submit your original and supporting documents.
• Pay any applicable fees (thank you) and provide necessary information.
• We will authenticate and legalise your documents by adding a few signature and fancy stamps, sending it to the Registrar of the High Court in Mafikeng. The Registrar will attach the apostille certificate.

• We have done it in two weeks, but also two months.
• The moment we send it to Mafikeng we are in the hands of a government organisation.
• Did someone say, “Hurry up and wait!”?

• Some countries may have additional requirements or specific processes for obtaining an apostille.
• Make sure from the organisation requesting the apostille exactly what they need.

• No, laminated or certified documents generally cannot be used for obtaining an apostille.
• I have to indicate that it is a notarially certified copy of the original. As such, I need to see, feel and smell the original.