South Sudan Embassy in London Legalisation

UK documents intended for official use in South Sudan generally require both UK and South Sudanese authentication.

For most documents issued in the United Kingdom, the process begins with an FCDO Apostille. The apostilled document is then submitted to the Embassy of the Republic of South Sudan in London for further legalisation or authentication.

The Embassy’s current official guidance states that documents issued in the United Kingdom by competent authorities must complete the appropriate UK authentication before being legalised for use in South Sudan.

South Sudan is not currently listed among the Contracting Parties to the 1961 Hague Apostille Convention. An FCDO Apostille should therefore not normally be treated as the final authentication stage for use in South Sudan.

Ginkgo Advisory can assist with the full UK process or with South Sudan Embassy legalisation only where the document already carries an acceptable FCDO Apostille.

South Sudan Embassy legalisation at a glance

Document type	Typical route
UK personal document	FCDO Apostille → South Sudan Embassy legalisation
UK academic document	Certification where required → FCDO Apostille → Embassy legalisation
UK company document	Certification/notarisation where required → FCDO Apostille → Embassy legalisation
Republic of Ireland document	Irish authentication → South Sudan Embassy legalisation
South Sudan-issued document	South Sudan Ministry of Foreign Affairs authentication first
Certified copy of academic document	Original must also be presented for comparison

The Embassy currently divides authentication applications into commercial, academic and immigration-related documents.

What is South Sudan Embassy legalisation?

South Sudan Embassy legalisation is the authentication of a document by the Embassy of the Republic of South Sudan in London.

For a typical UK document, the process is:

UK document → certification or notarisation where required → FCDO Apostille → South Sudan Embassy legalisation

Some official UK documents can proceed directly to the FCDO.

Private documents, copies, Powers of Attorney and certain corporate documents may first require certification by a practising UK solicitor or Notary Public.

Is an FCDO Apostille enough for South Sudan?

Normally, no.

The Embassy expressly states that documents intended for use in the Republic of South Sudan must be legalised by the South Sudan Embassy in London.

An FCDO Apostille is therefore normally an intermediate stage rather than the end of the authentication chain.

For most UK documents, the route remains:

FCDO Apostille → South Sudan Embassy legalisation

The authority receiving the document in South Sudan may impose additional substantive requirements depending on the purpose of the document.

Already have an FCDO Apostille?

There is normally no need to repeat the FCDO stage where the existing Apostille is suitable.

Ginkgo Advisory can assess the document for South Sudan Embassy legalisation only.

Please send us:

1. The complete document
2. The FCDO Apostille
3. The intended use in South Sudan
4. Details of the receiving authority or organisation
5. Any instructions received from South Sudan
6. Your required completion date

We can check the submission requirements before the original document is dispatched.

Which documents can require South Sudan Embassy legalisation?

The Embassy authenticates commercial, academic and immigration-related documents.

Personal and immigration documents

Examples can include:

• Birth certificates
• Marriage certificates
• Divorce documents
• ACRO Police Certificates
• DBS certificates
• Medical certificates
• Passport copies
• Affidavits
• Statutory declarations
• Consent documents
• Powers of Attorney
• Other immigration-related certificates

The Embassy specifically identifies birth certificates, marriage certificates, divorce documents and South Sudanese passport copies within its immigration-document procedure.

Academic documents

Educational documents can include:

• Bachelor’s degree certificates
• Master’s degree certificates
• PhD certificates
• Academic transcripts
• Diplomas
• Professional qualifications
• Training certificates
• School certificates

The document may need solicitor or notarial certification before it becomes eligible for an FCDO Apostille.

Commercial documents

Typical corporate documents include:

• Certificates of Incorporation
• Companies House documents
• Memorandum and Articles of Association
• Board resolutions
• Shareholder resolutions
• Commercial Powers of Attorney
• Agency agreements
• Distribution agreements
• Commercial contracts
• Company declarations
• Bank documents
• Other corporate certificates

The correct UK preparation depends on whether the document is an official public record or a privately executed document.

South Sudan Embassy legalisation fees

The Embassy’s current official authentication fee schedule is:

• Commercial documents: £50 per document
• Academic certificates: £20 per document
• Immigration-related documents: £20 per document

The older £65 commercial figure should therefore no longer be used.

These are Embassy fees only.

They do not include:

• FCDO Apostille charges
• Solicitor certification
• Notarial fees
• Verification charges
• Ginkgo Advisory professional fees
• Courier or postal charges

Personal document fees

The Embassy’s current published tariff uses the category “immigration related documents” rather than a universal category covering every conceivable private document.

Birth, marriage and divorce documents are specifically identified within this category.

For other unusual private documents, the applicable £20 fee should be confirmed before submission rather than assumed solely from the document being personal in nature.

Academic certificate fees

The current Embassy fee for an academic certificate is:

£20 per document.

This can apply to documents such as degree certificates and other educational awards submitted through the academic-document route.

Certification, Apostille and verification charges remain separate.

Commercial document fees

The current South Sudan Embassy charge for commercial authentication is:

£50 per document.

Company documents should be reviewed before the Apostille stage because some privately executed documents require prior solicitor or notarial certification.

Payment method

The South Sudan Embassy’s current official guidance states that authentication fees are payable:

Cash only.

Applicants should prepare the correct amount before submission.

Payment arrangements can change, so they should be reconfirmed when the documents are ready.

South Sudan Embassy processing time

Current specialist London legalisation guidance recommends allowing approximately:

3 working days

for the South Sudan Embassy stage.

The Embassy’s own current authentication webpage does not publish a guaranteed turnaround.

For planning purposes, approximately 3 working days remains a reasonable estimate once the document has been accepted.

FCDO, certification and return-delivery time are additional.

Photocopies are required

The Embassy requires more than a simple photocopy of the document’s first page.

Its current procedure states that applicants should submit a copy of every page and all attachments presented for authentication.

For example, where the document contains:

• Main certificate
• Notarial certificate
• Supporting schedule
• FCDO Apostille
• Attachments

the complete set should be copied.

Preparing all copies before submission reduces avoidable delay.

Self-addressed return envelope

The current Embassy procedure also requires a secure self-addressed envelope with the return address clearly written on it.

A tracked delivery service is preferable when original certificates are involved.

The address should be checked carefully before the submission is sent.

Academic certified copies require the original

An important additional rule applies where a certified copy of an academic certificate is being authenticated.

The Embassy requires the applicant to present the original certificate for comparison.

After the Embassy compares the original with the certified copy, the original is returned together with the authenticated copy.

Applicants should therefore not submit only the certified copy where this requirement applies.

UK degree legalisation for South Sudan

A UK degree certificate may require authentication for:

• Employment
• Professional registration
• Work permits
• Government appointments
• Teaching roles
• Healthcare employment
• Engineering positions
• University applications

Depending on the format, the qualification may first require appropriate solicitor or notarial certification.

A typical route is:

UK degree → certification where required → FCDO Apostille → South Sudan Embassy legalisation

Where a certified copy is being used, the original academic certificate should also be available for Embassy comparison.

Academic transcripts

Transcripts can require different preparation from degree certificates.

If the FCDO cannot directly authenticate the relevant signature on the transcript, a solicitor or Notary Public may need to certify it.

The receiving institution in South Sudan may also request direct verification from the UK school, university or awarding body.

Verification and legalisation are separate processes.

ACRO Police Certificate legalisation

A UK ACRO Police Certificate can be required for:

• Employment
• Immigration
• Residence
• Professional registration
• Government applications

The usual authentication route is:

ACRO Police Certificate → FCDO paper Apostille → South Sudan Embassy legalisation

ACRO Police Certificates for England and Wales cannot currently receive an e-Apostille.

Applicants should also check whether the South Sudanese authority imposes a maximum age or validity period for the certificate.

DBS certificate legalisation

A UK DBS certificate can follow a similar route:

DBS Certificate → FCDO paper Apostille → South Sudan Embassy legalisation

DBS certificates for England and Wales are also excluded from the FCDO’s current e-Apostille service.

The employer should confirm whether a Basic, Standard or Enhanced DBS certificate is required before legalisation begins.

Birth certificate legalisation

For a UK birth certificate, the normal route is:

UK Birth Certificate → FCDO Apostille → South Sudan Embassy legalisation

Birth certificates are expressly identified within the Embassy’s immigration-related document category.

The receiving authority may separately request passport or family documentation.

Marriage certificate legalisation

The normal authentication chain for a UK marriage certificate is:

UK Marriage Certificate → FCDO Apostille → South Sudan Embassy legalisation

Marriage certificates are also specifically identified by the Embassy within its immigration-document guidance.

Supporting identity or family-status evidence can still be required in South Sudan.

Divorce document legalisation

UK divorce documents may require authentication for family-status, remarriage or immigration purposes.

The precise UK preparation depends on whether the document is a court-issued original or another form of evidence.

Once the appropriate FCDO Apostille has been obtained, the document can proceed to South Sudan Embassy legalisation.

Divorce documents are specifically included within the Embassy’s immigration-related procedure.

Power of Attorney legalisation

A UK Power of Attorney commonly requires:

Execution before solicitor/notary → FCDO Apostille → South Sudan Embassy legalisation

The substantive wording should ideally be approved by the lawyer, bank, company or authority in South Sudan before signature.

Changing the POA after notarisation can require the authentication process to start again.

For a company Power of Attorney, evidence of the signatory’s authority may also be required during the UK certification stage.

Commercial document legalisation

Commercial documents carry a current South Sudan Embassy authentication fee of:

£50 per document.

The UK route may be:

Commercial document → solicitor/notarial certification where required → FCDO Apostille → South Sudan Embassy legalisation

The preliminary step depends on the document.

An official Companies House certificate is treated differently from a privately signed board resolution or commercial agreement.

Certificate of Incorporation

A Certificate of Incorporation may be required for:

• Company registration in South Sudan
• Opening a bank account
• Commercial due diligence
• Establishing a branch
• Investment applications
• Tendering

The format of the Companies House document determines the appropriate FCDO preparation.

A downloaded company document should not automatically be treated as equivalent to an eligible original public document.

Board resolutions

A board resolution is normally a privately executed corporate document.

It may first require solicitor or notarial certification before an Apostille can be obtained.

Supporting evidence can include:

• Certificate of Incorporation
• Companies House officer records
• Articles of Association
• Passport of the signing director
• Evidence of board authority

The final resolution wording should preferably be agreed with the South Sudanese recipient before execution.

Commercial Powers of Attorney

A commercial Power of Attorney should clearly identify:

• Full UK company name
• Company registration number
• Registered address
• Name of the signatory
• Signatory’s capacity
• South Sudanese attorney or agent
• Scope of authority

The correct execution and authentication should be established before signature.

The current Embassy commercial authentication fee is £50 per document.

Documents issued in the Republic of Ireland

The South Sudan Embassy in London also handles certain documents issued in the Republic of Ireland.

Current London consular guidance states that Irish documents should first be legalised by the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs before submission to the South Sudan Embassy in London.

An Irish document should not be submitted to the UK FCDO as though it were a UK document.

The correct chain begins with the competent Irish authority.

Documents issued in South Sudan

South Sudan-issued documents follow a separate process.

The Embassy’s current official guidance states that documents issued in the Republic of South Sudan must first be authenticated by the:

Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of South Sudan.

Those documents should not be sent to the FCDO simply because the holder is now in the United Kingdom.

Documents issued in other countries

Foreign-issued documents should be assessed individually.

The South Sudan Embassy’s current webpage states that foreign documents should first be authenticated by the relevant foreign authorities before proceeding through the necessary further authentication.

However, the UK FCDO expressly states that its normal legalisation service cannot legalise documents issued outside the UK. They should instead be legalised in the country where they were issued.

For third-country documents, the safest approach is therefore to confirm the required diplomatic chain before arranging any UK Apostille work.

Current FCDO Apostille fees

The UK Legalisation Office currently charges:

Apostille service	FCDO fee per document
Standard paper Apostille	£45
Next-Day paper Apostille for registered businesses	£40
e-Apostille	£35
Restricted Urgent paper Apostille	£100

Return courier or postage charges are additional for the Standard paper service.

Current FCDO processing times

Current FCDO indicative processing periods are:

• Standard paper Apostille: usually up to 25 working days
• Next-Day: next working day for registered businesses
• e-Apostille: up to 2 working days
• Restricted Urgent: same day following prior FCDO approval

Any service can take longer where a signature, seal or stamp requires further verification.

Does my document need solicitor certification?

It depends on the document.

The FCDO can directly legalise certain official UK documents issued by bodies such as:

• Courts
• Public registries
• Government departments
• Registered doctors

Other documents can be legalised after certification by a practising UK solicitor or Notary Public.

Examples include:

• Powers of Attorney
• Contracts
• Qualification certificates
• Passport copies
• Driving licence copies
• Private company documents

The correct certification should be established before applying for the Apostille.

Can an e-Apostille be used for South Sudan?

The FCDO offers e-Apostilles for eligible electronic documents.

However, the South Sudan Embassy still needs to complete its own authentication stage.

The FCDO itself advises applicants to check whether the receiving party requires a paper Apostille or can accept an electronic one.

Where an original physical document must be presented to the Embassy, a paper Apostille is generally the safer option unless electronic acceptance has been confirmed.

South Sudan Embassy address in London

The old 16 Upper Woburn Place, London WC1H 0BS address should no longer be published as the current Embassy address.

The Embassy’s official website now lists its:

Temporary Official Address

Embassy of the Republic of South Sudan
Office 11, 2nd Floor
21 Knightsbridge
London SW1X 7LY

The address should be reconfirmed before posting originals because the Embassy describes it as a temporary official address.

South Sudan Embassy opening hours

The Embassy’s current official website lists general opening hours as:

9:00 am – 4:00 pm
Monday to Friday

These are the Embassy’s general office hours.

Document-authentication arrangements should still be checked before attendance because Consular processing can operate under separate procedures.

South Sudan Embassy telephone

The Embassy currently gives its general enquiries telephone number as:

+44 (0)7459 199 266.

Older telephone numbers attached to previous Embassy premises should not be relied upon without confirmation.

Common reasons South Sudan legalisation is delayed

Applications can encounter problems where:

• The FCDO Apostille is missing
• The document required solicitor certification first
• The wrong signature was Apostilled
• Copies of every page have not been supplied
• Attachments are missing from the photocopy set
• An academic certified copy is submitted without its original
• A secure return envelope has not been provided
• Cash payment has not been prepared
• An Irish document has not completed Irish authentication
• A South Sudan-issued document lacks Ministry of Foreign Affairs authentication
• A foreign document has followed the wrong country-of-origin procedure
• An outdated London Embassy address has been used

Reviewing the complete document before legalisation can prevent unnecessary repeat work.

Can documents be bundled?

Bundling should not automatically be used simply to reduce Apostille or Embassy fees.

The receiving authority in South Sudan may require each document to carry its own authentication.

Likewise, the Embassy’s £50 or £20 fee applies according to the document category being authenticated.

Where several related documents are involved, send the complete set for review before arranging one combined notarial certificate.

Can I submit directly to the South Sudan Embassy?

Yes, subject to the Embassy’s current Consular procedure.

The document should already have completed the appropriate preliminary authentication.

Applicants should prepare:

• Original apostilled document
• Copy of every page and attachment
• Original academic certificate where a certified copy is submitted
• Secure self-addressed return envelope
• Correct cash fee
• Any additional supporting documentation required for the application

The Embassy’s current temporary address should be checked before attendance or dispatch.

South Sudan Embassy legalisation only

Clients who already have an acceptable FCDO Apostille can instruct Ginkgo Advisory for the remaining Embassy stage.

We can review:

• Document type
• FCDO Apostille
• Embassy fee
• Supporting photocopies
• Academic-original requirement
• Return envelope
• Country of issue
• Embassy submission arrangements

This avoids unnecessarily repeating the earlier UK authentication work.

Full South Sudan document legalisation service

Where the document has not yet been authenticated, the complete service can include:

• Document assessment
• Solicitor certification
• Notarial certification
• FCDO Apostille
• South Sudan Embassy legalisation
• Embassy submission
• Consular fee handling
• Collection
• Completion scan
• UK return delivery
• DHL international delivery

The correct route should be established from the actual document before processing begins.

Frequently asked questions

Does a UK document need an FCDO Apostille for South Sudan?

Usually, yes.

The standard UK route is:

FCDO Apostille → South Sudan Embassy legalisation.

Is an FCDO Apostille enough for South Sudan?

Normally, no.

The Embassy’s current guidance states that documents for use in South Sudan must be legalised by the Embassy in London.

How much is South Sudan Embassy legalisation?

The current official fees are:

• £50 per commercial document
• £20 per academic certificate
• £20 per immigration-related document

How long does South Sudan Embassy legalisation take?

Current specialist guidance recommends allowing approximately:

3 working days

for the Embassy stage.

The Embassy itself does not currently publish a guaranteed turnaround on its authentication page.

What payment method is accepted?

The Embassy’s current authentication procedure states:

Cash only.

Do I need a photocopy?

Yes.

The Embassy requires a copy of every page and attachment submitted for authentication.

Do I need to provide the original academic certificate?

Yes, where a certified copy is being authenticated.

The Embassy compares the certified copy with the original and then returns the original together with the authenticated copy.

Does the Embassy legalise documents issued in Ireland?

Current London guidance states that Republic of Ireland documents can be submitted after prior authentication by the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs.

Can a foreign document receive a UK Apostille?

Normally, no.

The FCDO states that documents issued outside the UK cannot be legalised through its standard service and should be legalised in the country where they were issued.

Can you legalise an ACRO Police Certificate for South Sudan?

Yes.

The normal route is:

ACRO Police Certificate → FCDO paper Apostille → South Sudan Embassy legalisation

Can you legalise a UK degree for South Sudan?

Yes.

Depending on the format, the degree may first require certification before receiving an FCDO Apostille.

If a certified copy is submitted to the Embassy, the original academic certificate must also be presented for comparison.

Can you legalise company documents?

Yes.

UK company documents can be assessed for the appropriate certification, FCDO Apostille and South Sudan Embassy authentication.

The current commercial Embassy fee is £50 per document.

Where is the South Sudan Embassy in London?

The Embassy currently gives its temporary official address as:

Office 11, 2nd Floor, 21 Knightsbridge, London SW1X 7LY.

Is 16 Upper Woburn Place still the South Sudan Embassy address?

It appears to be an old address.

The Embassy’s current official website now directs users to 21 Knightsbridge, London SW1X 7LY.

What are the Embassy opening hours?

The current general opening hours are:

9:00 am–4:00 pm, Monday to Friday.

Can you provide South Sudan Embassy legalisation only?

Yes.

Where the document already carries the correct FCDO Apostille, we can assess and arrange the remaining Embassy stage.

Arrange South Sudan Embassy legalisation in London

Send Ginkgo Advisory a clear scan before posting the original.

Please provide:

1. The complete document
2. Existing FCDO Apostille, if available
3. Country where the document was issued
4. Intended use in South Sudan
5. Details of the receiving authority or organisation
6. Any written requirements received from South Sudan
7. Required completion date

For academic certified copies, also confirm that the original certificate is available.

For commercial documents, provide the company’s country of incorporation and the nature of the document.

We can then establish the appropriate process:

UK document → certification where required → FCDO Apostille → South Sudan Embassy legalisation

South Sudan Embassy and FCDO procedures, fees, addresses and processing times can change without notice. The Embassy currently describes 21 Knightsbridge as its temporary official address, so the location should be reconfirmed before originals are dispatched. Final acceptance remains subject to the Embassy and the receiving authority in South Sudan.