Official Document Translation & Legalisation Map
Interactive index of country-specific requirements for certified translations, sworn translations, apostilles, and consular legalization for official submissions worldwide.
Translation Standard
Sworn Translator
Certified Translation
Notarised Translation
Not mapped yet
South Africa
Sworn translation standard
Requirements Summary
Apostille required
Required for documents to be used abroad (Hague Convention member)
Who can translate
Translator enrolled and sworn before a High Court
Accepted languages
English or other official South African languages depending on authority
Legalization agency
Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO)
Official guidelines
Department of Justice and Constitutional DevelopmentImportant: Only translators sworn and enrolled at a Division of the High Court may issue legally recognised sworn translations for court and official use.
Detailed Guidelines
Who can translate
Sworn translations must be completed by a translator who has taken
an oath before a Division of the High Court of South Africa.
Once enrolled, the translator is authorised to provide sworn translations
for legal, governmental, academic, and immigration purposes.
What makes a translation official
A sworn translation must include:
The translator’s official stamp
The translator’s signature
A declaration confirming the translation is true and accurate
Only sworn translations are accepted in court proceedings and by most public authorities.
When sworn translation is required
Documents from abroad
Documents executed abroad must generally be apostilled under the Hague Apostille Convention.
Apostilles in South Africa are issued by the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO).
Legal basis
Sworn translators operate under the authority of the High Courts and
relevant Uniform Rules of Court, including Rule 59 concerning interpreter and translation matters.