Gift affidavit affidavit
Family & estates
If a foreign representative asks for an affidavit for work or study abroad, ask what it must contain and what preparation is required. A Commissioner of Oaths can take an affidavit. For private documents that need legalisation, check whether certification, Public Notary witnessing or translation applies, then confirm the route for the destination country.
Prepare your affidavit
Do not sign before the commissioner of oaths. Review your statement and sign in their presence. This PDF is not signed or certified.
Official downloads
How to use it
- Contact the foreign representative Contact the foreign representative in South Africa for the country where you will use the document. Ask which documents you must submit, what legalisation is required and which country-specific requirements apply.
- Check whether an affidavit is needed An affidavit may be among the documents required for a work or study application abroad. Confirm with the representative whether you need one or another private document.
Document checklist
- Confirm the document Have you asked the foreign representative in South Africa which document is needed for your application abroad?
- Confirm the preparation Have you checked whether the private document needs true-copy certification, Public Notary witnessing or translation?
- Confirm the destination If you are requesting DIRCO legalisation, are you ready to tell the Legalisation Section where the document will be used?
Questions & answers
Will a foreign mission require an affidavit for every application?
An affidavit may be required for work or study abroad. Contact the foreign representative in South Africa to confirm which documents and country-specific requirements apply to your application.
Who can take an affidavit?
A Commissioner of Oaths can take affidavits. Check with the receiving representative what document it needs before arranging one.
What preparation can a private document need?
When legalisation is required, a private document must be certified as a true copy or witnessed by a Public Notary. Translation may also be required.
Where do I take documents after the Public Notary or Sworn Translator route?
Take the certified or translated documents to the High Court Registrar in the same jurisdiction. The Registrar verifies the professional’s signature or seal.
Does a destination covered by the Apostille Convention require presentation to DIRCO?
For documents following the Public Notary or Sworn Translator route, the relevant High Court apostilles documents destined for a signatory country. They are then ready for use without presentation to DIRCO.
When should I give the Legalisation Section the destination country?
Give it when requesting DIRCO legalisation. The Section uses the destination to determine whether an Apostille Certificate or Certificate of Authentication is required.
What does legalisation check?
For an official public document, legalisation verifies its signature and seal. Ask the receiving representative which process applies to your private document.
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