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South African High Commission
South Africa House
Trafalgar Square
London WC2N 5DP

Phone:
 +44 (0) 20 7451 7299 (except Consular Section)

Fax:
+44 (0) 20 7451 7283 (except Consular Section)
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ADMINISTRATION

The Administration section at the High Commission deals with a variety of issues, amongst which are Authentication & Legalisation of documents, Police Clearance and information concerning Driving Licences. This page is not exhaustive, but hopefully it will lead you in the right direction.

AUTHENTICATION OF DOCUMENTS FOR USE IN SOUTH AFRICA
1 These documents could be Powers of Attorney, Affidavits, Declarations etc.
2 The South African High Commission, London works strictly on an appointment basis. You will always be offered the first available appointment. Those with appointments are attended to between 09:00am and 10:00am. Should you wish to make an appointment, please contact us on: (020) 7451 7299.
3 Should your matter be urgent and you cannot get an appointment in the time needed, you are advised to use the services of a UK Notary. This can be done in terms of Rule 63 2 (e) of the Rules of the High Court of South Africa. It is essential that you first speak to your South African lawyer before using the services of a Notary Public in the UK.
4 You will find a listing of Notaries in your local Yellow Pages/Business Directory. Should you have difficulty in locating a UK Notary the UK Notaries Society can be reached at:
 

The Secretary
The Notaries Society
23 New Street
Woodbridge
IP12 1DN
 

Fax: 01394 383 7772
 

Email: admin@thenotariessociety.org.uk
 

Web: www.thenotariessociety.org.uk

 

The Notaries Society or the UK Notary Public should not be expected to give you advice/information that is specific to South Africa. This is the role of your South African lawyer.

AUTHENTICATION/LEGALISATION OF SOUTH AFRICAN PUBLIC DOCUMENTS FOR USE BY A FOREIGN AUTHORITY
BIRTH/MARRIAGE/DEATH CERTIFICATES
  • These documents must be Full/Unabridged and are stated as such on the document.
  • These documents must have been issued within the past 2 years.
  • These documents must be originals as issued by the Department of Home Affairs. PHOTOCOPIES WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.

If your document does not satisfy the above criteria, you will have to apply for a new one through the South African Consulate at 15 Whitehall (020 7925 8910 & 020 7925 8901), directions are obtainable from Reception at the High Commission.

You are advised to request the Consular Official, in writing, to have your document authenticated/legalised in South Africa prior to its return to London. YOU MUST INDICATE WHICH FOREIGN AUTHORITY HAS ASKED FOR THE DOCUMENT(S) TO BE AUTHENTICATED/LEGALISED.

Birth/Marriage/Death Certificates that satisfy the stated criteria and are accepted are sent to South Africa and are normally returned to London in approximately 5 weeks from the first Thursday after you handed them in.

EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS
Copies of educational qualifications must be certified as true copies of the originals by a Notary Public in South Africa. The signature of the Notary Public must then be authenticated by the Registrar of the court at which the Notary is registered.

The High Commission will only certify South African educational certificates if they are to be used in South Africa. Please call us on 0207 451 7299 for guidance in this matter.
DIVORCE DOCUMENTS

  • A certified copy must be obtained from the High Court where the divorce was granted

  • The signature of the clerk, who certified the copy, must be verified by the Registrar of that particular High Court. Contact details of the Registrars of South African Courts are obtainable from the South African High Commission.
For further, more detailed information you are invited to visit the following website: www.dfa.gov.za/
or contact the High Commission on Tel no: 0207 451 7299
POLICE CLEARANCE
South African Police Clearance certificates are obtainable from the Criminal Records Centre in Pretoria South Africa. For information on obtaining a Police Clearance Certificate contact this Mission on:
  • Tel no: 020 7451 7299
    		•
  • Fax no: 020 7451 7283
    		•
    If you choose to Fax your request the minimum information required is:
  • Applicants full name as it appears in his/her passport.
    		•
  • The Authority requesting the Police Clearance.
    		•
  • Full Residential Address with Postal Code and County where applicable.
    		•
    SOUTH AFRICAN DRIVING LICENSES

    South African and International driving licenses are not dealt with by the South African High Commission London. You must contact the Department of Transport in South Africa for guidance on matters as they affect you.

    POSTAL ADDRESS
    National Department of Transport
    Private Bag x193
    Pretoria
    0001
    South Africa

    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, YOU MAY WANT TO VISIT THE WEBSITE:
    http://www.enatis.com

    SOUTH AFRICANS TURNED BACK AT VARIOUS PORTS OF ENTRY IN THE UNITED KINGDOM

    To minimise the risk of being turned back at a UK port of entry there are some Do's and Don’ts for South Africans before coming to the UK.

    Please visit the South African Foreign Affairs Website for further information

    http://www.dfa.gov.za
    Public holidays taken by this High Commission for 2008
    Tuesday 1 January New year's Day
    Friday 21 March Good Friday
    Monday 24 March Easter Monday/Family Day
    Sunday 27 April Freedom Day
    *Holiday falls on a Sunday therefore Thursday, 1 May will be observed
    Friday 2 May Special Holiday
    Monday 5 May Bank Holiday
    Monday 26 May Bank Holiday

    Monday

    		16 June Youth Day

    Monday

    		25 August Bank Holiday

    Wednesday

    		24 September Heritage day
    Thursday 25 December Christmas Day
    Friday 26 December Day of Goodwill

    Page updated 23/04/08