South Africa

Documents for South Africa usually only need notarisation. Occasionally, usually for court proceedings, an apostille is requested after notarisation.

The apostille is obtained at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (“FCO”) after notarisation.

The FCO has two offices. The one open to the public is at Milton Keynes, which is accessible by train from London. It is 55 miles/ 85 kilometres away. They charge £30.00 per document. Documents need normally to be signed by a notary before going to either FCO office.

The other FCO office is at Centre Point in London and is open to notaries and some other businesses. They charge £75 per document. The general public cannot go there, but notaries can take documents there on behalf of clients needing a swifter service.