Legalising Zimbabwean documents in South Africa alleviates many of the bureaucratic hurdles that Zimbabwean expatriates face when settling personal and professional matters, such as enrolling children in school, securing employment, and conducting business. This is particularly important for Zimbabwean expatriates, as it ensures that their documents are officially recognised and accepted in South Africa and around the world. It is a vital step in ensuring that the transition to life in a new country is as smooth and hassle-free as possible.
This article delves into the legalisation process of Zimbabwe Documents in South Africa, the types of documents that are eligible, and the practical steps involved in legalising Zimbabwean documents in South Africa.
Legalisation of Documents issued in Zimbabwe
As a general rule, the authentication of original documents issued by the Government of Zimbabwe is carried out by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade in Zimbabwe. The Zimbabwe Embassy in South Africa is unable to do this on behalf of the diaspora. Zimbabwean citizens abroad would need to appoint a contact person in Zimbabwe to handle the legalisation process on their behalf if they are unable to travel to Zimbabwe.
Type of document which needs legalisation in Zimbabwe:
Birth/Marriages/Death Certificates- Educational Certificates
- Medical Certificate Report
- Trade Documents
Birth/Marriages/Death CertificatesNotarisation of Zimbabwe Documents in South Africa
Notaries public play an important role in facilitating legal transactions in South Africa. They verify the identity of those participating in a document and can legalise copies of original documents for use abroad. A notary’s mark on a document gives it legal weight. This is most often used for copies of personal documents, contracts, deeds, powers of attorney and international business documents.
The High Court Act 59 of 1959 sets out the formalities that must be followed for documents signed outside South Africa to be used in the country. The relevant process is set out in Rule 63 of the High Court Rules of Court. A South African notary public may authenticate documents executed in the following countries: Zimbabwe, Eswatini, Lesotho, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and Botswana. The notary public must authenticate the document by identifying the signatories and affixing their signature and seal of office to the document, and no further authentication is required.
The procedure stipulated in Rule 63 applies to the named countries, including Zimbabwe. However, the apostille procedure set out in the Hague Convention only applies to member states (i.e. countries that have signed the Hague Convention). This means that both the country from which the document emanates and the country in which it will be used must be members.
What is the Hague Convention apostille?
Several countries have ratified the 1961 Hague Apostille Convention, which simplifies the certification process for public documents (including notarised documents) for use in countries that have joined the convention. Under this system, a single Apostille Certificate is issued by the Competent Authority of the state where the document originates following verification of the document. The document is then entitled to recognition in the country of intended use (provided that the country is part of the convention). No further legalisation by an embassy or consulate is required.
The difference in the authentication processes of Rule 63 and the Hague Convention:
A document authenticated in terms of Rule 63 must be legalised by the notary only, and no embassy legalisation is required is it to be use in Zimbabwe. The document can further authenticated by means of a “Certificate of Authentication” to be affixed to the document, which certificate must be issued and signed by, and bear the seal of the Legalisation Section of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (“DIRCO”), situated in Pretoria, South Africa.
The Apostille system is not applicable in Zimbabwe since, at the time of publication of this article in November 2025, it still had not ratified the Apostille Convention
Global Apostille: your partner for the authentication of Zimbabwean documents.
Global apostille can help you in authentication and legalization of your Zimbabwe documents for use abroad Our Services Includes:
- Knowledge: Our professional team is knowledgeable about documents legalisation in South Africa and Zimbabwe.
- Efficiency: We put a lot of effort into making sure the process moves quickly and efficiently, reducing delays.
- Confidentiality: We value your privacy and make sure that every document is treated with the strictest confidentiality.
- Customer Service: Is our top priority, and we are there to help you with any question and concern you may have at any point along the procedure.
Take Action Today
If you are a Zimbabwean citizen who needs documents notarised in South Africa, contact us today. Even if you are travelling or living outside Zimbabwe, we can help you with the notarisation of your Zimbabwean documents. Global Apostille notary services offer a convenient way to get documents notarised without needing to travel back to Zimbabwe. Our expert notaries can walk you through the legalisation process quickly and easily, wherever you are located; For further information please contact us on Tel: +27 12 348 3134; Mobile: +27 81 347 6060; Email: info@apostillelegalisation.co.za
