Notarial and Document Services

Information about document authentication, legalization, and other legal document services at the Zimbabwe Embassy in London.

Important Information

The embassy provides various notarial and document authentication services for both Zimbabwean documents to be used in the UK and UK documents to be used in Zimbabwe. Please note that Zimbabwe is not a signatory to the Hague Apostille Convention, so documents require embassy legalization.

Document Authentication Services

UK Documents for Use in Zimbabwe:

Documents issued in the UK that need to be used in Zimbabwe must go through a two-step process:

UK Authentication: Documents must first be authenticated by UK authorities (typically apostilled by the FCDO - Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office)
Embassy Legalization: After UK authentication, the document must be legalized by the Zimbabwe Embassy

Examples of documents that may need authentication:

UK birth, marriage, or death certificates
UK educational certificates and transcripts
UK police clearance certificates
Legal documents (court orders, power of attorney)
Company registration documents

Zimbabwe Documents for Use in the UK:

The embassy can assist with confirmation of Zimbabwean documents:

Important Note: The embassy itself cannot authenticate (apostille) Zimbabwean documents. Full authentication must be done by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Zimbabwe.

What the embassy can do:

Provide a letter confirming that a document was issued by the Government of Zimbabwe
Advise on getting documents authenticated in Zimbabwe
Verify the authenticity of certain documents with authorities in Zimbabwe

For full authentication of Zimbabwean documents (apostille equivalent), you will need someone in Zimbabwe to take the document to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Harare.

Document Authentication Process

UK Documents for Use in Zimbabwe - Process:

Get UK Documents Authenticated First

Have your UK document apostilled by the FCDO. This can be done via:

Online at gov.uk/get-document-legalised
Post to the Legalisation Office
Commercial legalisation services

Make an Appointment with the Embassy

Contact the embassy to schedule an appointment for document legalization.

Bring Required Documents

Bring to your appointment:

Original document with UK apostille
Photocopy of the document (for embassy records)
Your identification (passport or ID)
Payment for embassy fee (£250 per document)

Submit for Legalization

At the embassy, your document will be reviewed and, if in order, will receive the embassy's legalization stamp/seal.

Collection

In most cases, legalized documents can be collected after 5 business days. You'll receive instructions about collection during your appointment.

Zimbabwe Documents for Use Abroad - Process:

If you need to authenticate a Zimbabwean document for use in the UK:

Full Authentication in Zimbabwe: The document should ideally be authenticated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Zimbabwe. This requires someone in Zimbabwe to handle this process.
Confirmation Letter from Embassy: If full authentication is not possible, the embassy can provide a letter confirming that the document was issued by Zimbabwe. Contact the embassy to request this service.

Note: Whether a confirmation letter from the embassy will be sufficient depends on what the document is being used for and the requirements of the UK authority requesting it.

Other Notarial Services

Affidavits and Sworn Statements

The embassy can witness affidavits and sworn statements for use in Zimbabwe:

Bring prepared statement to be signed in the presence of consular officer
Proof of identity required (passport or Zimbabwe ID)
Service fee: £30 per document

Power of Attorney

The embassy can notarize powers of attorney for use in Zimbabwe:

Document must be prepared in advance
Signed in the presence of consular officer
Identification and supporting documents required
Service fee: £50

No Impediment to Marriage Certificate

If you need to prove you're free to marry in another country:

Requires completed application form
Proof of single status (affidavit or documents)
Zimbabwe ID/passport
Processing may involve verification with authorities in Zimbabwe

Police Clearance Certificate

The embassy can facilitate applications for Zimbabwe police clearance:

Application forms available at the embassy
Fingerprints must be taken at the embassy or by UK police
Processing time: 4-8 weeks (handled by Zimbabwe Republic Police)
Facilitation fee: £45 (additional fees apply in Zimbabwe)

Fees and Payment

Service Fees:

Service	Fee
Authentication of documents (per document)	£250
Confirmation letter for Zimbabwe documents	£35
Notarization of affidavits	£30
Power of attorney	£50
Birth/Marriage/Death registration	£40
Police clearance facilitation	£45

Payment Methods:

Payments must be made in British Pounds (GBP)
Accepted forms of payment: Cashier's check or money order payable to "Embassy of Zimbabwe"
Cash and personal checks are not accepted
Credit/debit cards are not accepted

Note: Fees are subject to change. Please confirm current fees before your appointment.

Frequently Asked Questions

The authentication fee covers the comprehensive verification process that the embassy must undertake. Since Zimbabwe is not part of the Hague Apostille Convention, the embassy must perform additional verification steps to ensure documents will be legally recognized in Zimbabwe. This includes communication with relevant authorities and maintaining proper records. The fee is comparable to legalization fees charged by other embassies for similar services.

Yes, UK educational qualifications generally need to be authenticated to be officially recognized in Zimbabwe. This is especially important for professional licensing, employment, or further education in Zimbabwe. The process involves getting your degree apostilled by the FCDO first, then having it legalized by the Zimbabwe Embassy. Some institutions in Zimbabwe may also require additional evaluation by Zimbabwe's national qualifications authority.

The embassy can facilitate applications for Zimbabwe police clearance certificates. You'll need to complete the application form available at the embassy, have your fingerprints taken (either at the embassy or by UK police), and pay the required fees. The embassy forwards your application to the Zimbabwe Republic Police. Processing typically takes 4-8 weeks, and the certificate will be sent to the embassy for collection.

The embassy cannot directly issue duplicate birth certificates, as these must be processed by the Registrar General's Office in Zimbabwe. However, the embassy can provide guidance on the application process and may be able to facilitate communication with the authorities in Zimbabwe. You will typically need someone in Zimbabwe to submit the application on your behalf. The embassy can provide you with the necessary forms and information on the requirements.

Yes, the embassy does accept documents for authentication by mail in certain circumstances. You should first contact the embassy by email to confirm this option is available for your specific documents and to receive instructions. You'll need to include all required documents, a copy of your identification, payment, and a pre-paid return envelope. However, for some services like affidavits or powers of attorney that require you to sign in the presence of a consular officer, personal appearance is mandatory.

Contact for Document Services

For specific inquiries about document authentication and notarial services, please contact:

Email: zimlondon@zimfa.gov.zw
Phone: +44 20 7836 7755
In person: Visit the Consular Section during operating hours (9:00 AM - 12:30 PM, Monday-Friday)