Essential documentation for South African emigrants

Individuals contemplating emigration from South Africa are likely aware that relocating to a new country requires a thorough and deliberate process rather than an overnight occurrence. The emigration journey requires extensive planning and administrative efforts to ensure a seamless transition. A critical facet of this procedure involves procuring the necessary documents vital for emigrants settling in a foreign country.

In this article, we delve into the indispensable documents required for departing South Africa and elucidate the means to secure them, even if you need immediate access. We interviewed the Apostil.co.za team, who gave us comprehensive insights into these requisites.

WHAT ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS SOUTH AFRICAN EMIGRANTS NEED?

There are five key documents that nearly all prospective emigrants from South Africa must possess, albeit with slight variations for those above 18 years of age and/or married. Beyond the passport (as per the destination country’s requirements), the following documents are imperative:

• Unabridged Birth Certificate
• Police Clearance Certificate
• Any academic certificates, such as degrees, diplomas, Matric, or formal qualifications
• Unabridged Marriage Certificate (if applicable), Letter of No Impediment (if single), or Divorce Decree (if divorced)
• Apostilles, Authentications, or Attestations for all pertinent documents

The timeline for acquiring these documents varies, necessitating careful planning with an additional buffer of one to two months.

WHICH DOCUMENTS TAKE THE LONGEST TO OBTAIN?

Unabridged birth certificates and marriage certificates are the most time-consuming documents to obtain if you don’t have the original copies and must apply for new certificates.

Unabridged birth certificates were automatically issued to individuals born after 2014. However, it’s improbable that primary emigration applicants fall within the nine-year-old category, rendering this document crucial for most adult South Africans pursuing international travel.

Each family member departing South Africa needs an unabridged birth certificate. These official records detail biological parentage or legal guardianship.

For married couples, submission of an unabridged marriage certificate serves as evidence of legal matrimony. Sometimes termed “long-form” or “full” marriage certificates, these documents fulfill the requirement.

The Department of Home Affairs typically takes three to six months to issue birth and unabridged marriage certificates. Yet, document facilitation services, like Apostil.co.za, expedite the process to as little as three weeks for accessible records.

IS IT MANDATORY TO OBTAIN A POLICE CLEARANCE FOR EMIGRATION PURPOSES?

Foreign authorities mandate a Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) to verify the emigrant’s character.

Emigrants above 18 years old must provide a valid SAPS Police Clearance Certificate. This document ensues after a background check confirms the absence of criminal records. Even if no criminal record exists, the certificate serves to affirm a clean record within South Africa.

HOW WILL MY DOCUMENTS BE APOSTILLED OR ATTESTED?

Depending upon the destination country, the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) or a High Court oversees this process.

For countries aligned with the Hague Convention, documents need an apostille seal for foreign official use. Non-Hague Convention countries entail a more intricate legalisation process, achieved through attestation or authentication via the high court. Both methods simplify foreign authorities’ verification of South African document authenticity.

WHERE CAN SOUTH AFRICANS FIND ASSISTANCE WITH THE DOCUMENTS REQUIRED FOR EMIGRATION?

The aforementioned documents form the crux of your travel arrangements, demanding meticulous focus and exertion in your planning. Yet, obtaining these documents involves extensive queues at Home Affairs, SAPS, or DIRCO, followed by extended waiting periods for issuance, which might span months.For many prospective emigrants, time isn’t a luxury they can afford, especially with imminent travel dates or visa appointments. Apostil.co.za presents a solution for those requiring document acquisition assistance. This document facilitation service manages queues on your behalf, ensuring swift document procurement. Contact Apostil.co.za today to streamline your document attainment process!