Parliament of South Africa in Cape Town with red brick and a Corinthian portico

Translation for South Africa

Translation for South Africa – authorized English

We translate into English when SAQA, SARS or CIPC in Pretoria must read it. From SEK 1,495. Apostille only if the recipient requires the stamp.

See services →

Our services for South Africa

Apostille from SEK 1,595. Authorized English from SEK 1,495 when SAQA will not take Swedish. A power of attorney is attested from SEK 695. Package from SEK 1,895 when both translation and apostille are needed.

Apostille

Hague Convention: apostille via Notarius Publicus. No embassy stamp for South Africa.

From $160 See prices →

Notarisation

Certify signatures and copies. Often required before apostille on private documents.

From $70 See prices →

Translation Swedish → English

Authorized translation by a Kammarkollegiet-approved translator.

From $150 See prices →

Translation English → Swedish

Authorized translation for Swedish authorities, universities and companies.

From $150 See prices →

Bundle: translation + apostille

The full chain for South Africa in one case when the recipient requires both.

From $190 See package price →

Correct path

SAQA takes Notarius Publicus

The Hague Convention has covered South Africa since 30 April 1995. Swedish originals are apostilled by Notarius Publicus. DIRCO puts apostille on South African documents. The embassy in Stockholm handles consular matters for South African citizens. English toward SAQA, SARS and CIPC: authorized translation from Kammarkollegiet when the original is in Swedish. A power of attorney is attested in Sweden before a Deeds Office acts.

Official embassy page: Embassy of South Africa in Sweden

Overview

How it works for South Africa

SAQA compares a Swedish degree against the National Qualifications Framework. That is Pretoria’s evaluation office, not a university revalidating on its own. DHA issues identity – the green barcoded ID or a smart ID. SARS issues the tax number. CIPC issues the company number. A Deeds Office in Cape Town, Johannesburg, Pretoria or Durban takes the plot. Four functions, four form tracks. Forms are in English; we do not sell Afrikaans as the chain toward SAQA. Swedish originals are apostilled by Notarius Publicus. Documents issued in South Africa are apostilled by DIRCO. The embassy in Stockholm does not apostille the Swedish original.

When needed

When do SAQA or CIPC want apostille?

The request sits with SAQA, SARS, CIPC or a Deeds Office. Typical files:

SAQA must set NQF level against a Swedish degree
CIPC must issue a company number against a Swedish company extract
SARS must issue a tax number against supporting papers
DHA must tie identity to a Swedish extract
A Deeds Office must register a purchase in Cape Town or Johannesburg
A power of attorney so someone can sign toward the deeds registry

Documents we often see toward SAQA, SARS and CIPC

Typical documents by category. Collapse a box if you want less.

01 SAQA and the NQF

Diploma toward NQF evaluation
Transcript for UCT, Wits or UP
Grades that must be read in English

02 DHA and identity

Extract toward a smart ID or green ID
Birth or marriage papers toward Home Affairs
A SARS number is tax, not identity

03 CIPC, SARS and Deeds Office

Company extract toward CIPC
Tax papers toward SARS
Power of attorney toward a Deeds Office in Durban

NQF level, a company number or the deeds registry

The usual chain from review to return. Collapse a step if you want less.

1 SAQA, CIPC or a Deeds Office?

A degree to SAQA against the NQF. A company to CIPC. A plot to a Deeds Office. A tax number to SARS. DHA takes identity, not the NQF file.
2 Skatteverket, the university or Bolagsverket

A personal extract, a diploma or a company extract in original. SAQA and CIPC rarely take a screenshot from BankID.
3 English toward the NQF – not Afrikaans as a product

Authorized English from Kammarkollegiet when the original is in Swedish. We do not sell Afrikaans as a substitute toward SAQA.
4 A power of attorney is attested before a Deeds Office acts

If someone in Johannesburg is signing for you, Notarius Publicus attests the power of attorney here. A South African commissioner of oaths does not stamp that Swedish instrument.
5 Notarius Publicus here, DIRCO there

Notarius Publicus puts apostille on Swedish papers. DIRCO puts apostille on South African originals. You send to SAQA, CIPC, SARS or a Deeds Office.

Important

Apostille for South Africa

The Hague Convention has covered South Africa since 30 April 1995. Notarius Publicus apostilles Swedish public documents. DIRCO puts apostille on South African ones. From SEK 1,595 in Basic.

Typical South Africa cases we see

Expand a case to see documents, route and timing.

NQF level at SAQA in Pretoria SAQA sets the level against the framework. An apostilled diploma plus English. DIRCO’s visa desk is not that file.

Typical documents

Diploma
Transcript
English

English if needed → apostille

Often three to five weeks with translation

A company number at CIPC CIPC sets the company number. Apostille on a Swedish company extract. English if the extract is in Swedish.

Typical documents

Company extract
Power of attorney
English if needed

English if needed → apostille

Often one to three weeks with translation

A power of attorney toward a Deeds Office in Cape Town A purchase without you there needs an attested power of attorney. The attestation is done in Sweden before apostille.

Typical documents

Power of attorney
Company extract if needed
English if needed

Notarisation → apostille (+ English if needed)

Often two to four weeks

A tax number at SARS SARS issues the tax number. DHA issues identity. Two Pretoria tracks, neither of them is a visa.

Typical documents

Extracts
Power of attorney
English

English if needed → apostille

Often several weeks plus translation

Translation, timing and embassy

English toward SAQA – Afrikaans is not the chain

SAQA and CIPC rarely take unprocessed Swedish. Authorized English from Kammarkollegiet from SEK 1,495. Translation plus apostille from SEK 1,895. Afrikaans is not included.

Time toward SAQA and a Deeds Office

Apostille usually takes a few business days. NQF evaluation takes longer than the stamp. Also allow for:

a power of attorney that must be attested before a Deeds Office acts
English here when the original is in Swedish
the SAQA queue toward NQF comparison
processing at Notarius Publicus

The embassy takes South African consular cases

The consular section helps South African citizens. Apostille for SAQA, SARS and CIPC is done by Notarius Publicus. DIRCO apostilles South African originals.

Apostille on Swedish originals for South Africa
Attestation of a power of attorney before apostille
Authorized English toward SAQA and CIPC
Notarius Publicus – not DIRCO – for Swedish papers

Embassy of South Africa in Sweden →

Other help we offer

Supporting services that often sit in the same case.

FAQ

Can the embassy in Stockholm apostille for me?

Not Swedish originals. They handle consular matters for South African citizens. Apostille for SAQA, SARS and CIPC is done by Notarius Publicus. South African originals are apostilled by DIRCO.

Do I need a translation when the forms are in English?

English on the form does not remove the requirement. SAQA and CIPC rarely read unprocessed Swedish. Authorized English from Kammarkollegiet plus apostille is the usual chain. Afrikaans is not sold as a substitute.

Is a South African visa enough instead of apostille?

No. A visa is entry. SAQA, SARS and CIPC want apostille on the document.

Unsure what you need?

Send a scan and we will say which chain applies for South Africa: translation, notarisation and/or apostille.