The terms ‘notarization’ and ‘authentication’ are often misconstrued when people set out to authenticate, legalize or attest their documents like academic results, birth certificate, marriage certificate, and other documents in Cameroon for use abroad. To make things simpler, AfriqConsult provides much-needed clarification by explaining the difference between notarization and authentication of documents intended for use in a foreign country.
It’s important to note that authentication of documents broadly means the same thing as attestation of documents or legalization of documents.
What It Means to Notarize a Document in Cameroon (Notarization Explained)
At the most basic level, the red, star-like, circular rubber seal on a document (often accompanied with a stamp bearing the name, address, and contact details of the Notary Public) appended on a document is a sure sign that that document has been notarized. But what does this red seal and stamp signify?
To notarize a document in Cameroon basically means to endorse the genuineness of that document and to affirm that the facts contained therein are reasonably deemed to be free of misrepresentation and falsification. Notarization also means that the Notary Public whose seal and stamp is appended on the document has verified the identity of the signee of the document and is aware of the legal context or basis for the transaction.
Certain institutions or authorities such as embassies or high commissions insist on notarization of documents presented to them so they may have full faith in the validity of such documents. In effect, notarization confers an additional layer of credence or trustworthiness upon a document and/or the transaction it signifies.
In Cameroon, notarization of documents is performed by a certified Notary Public, who is often a lawyer that has been practicing at the Cameroon Bar. A Notary Public is ceremoniously considered an officer of the Supreme Court.
What It Means to Authenticate or Attest a Document in Cameroon (Authentication/Attestation Explained)
First, it is important to note that authentication is the same thing as apostille or attestation of documents. To authenticate a document in Cameroon means to attest or certify that such a document is legal, genuine, and validly issued to the bearer by the claimed authority responsible for issuing such a document.
In other words, if you have a document like the official birth certificate issued by the Rural or Urban Council in Cameroon or a Marriage Certificate, authenticating such a document means getting it endorsed by the appropriate authorities whose attestation or certification of such a document effectively confers legitimacy on it for use abroad.
However, if you have an academic result (such as Degree Certificate), there are two layers to authenticating such a document. Since it is an educational document, it must first be certified by the Ministry of Higher Education (which would ascertain and attest to its genuineness) and then subsequently authenticated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Only after this dual process is completed will the educational document be deemed authenticated and presentable to embassies (for legalization) or to foreign authorities.
For Cameroonians who have a foreign degree or similar academic certificates from a foreign educational institution, in order to authenticate such documents in Cameroon, you first need to get them endorsed by the embassy of the country where you studied. For example, if you studied in UK, you must take the degree certificate to the British High Commission in Cameroon for verification/endorsement. After this is done, you will then be able to authenticate the document directly at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs – without the need to go through the Ministry of Education attestation as is the case for academic certificates issued by Cameroon institutions.
Is it Important to Notarize a Document Before I Can Authenticate It?
Notarization and authentication of documents often go hand in hand when the purpose is to use your Cameroon document in a foreign country. However, this is not strictly so. It is not always necessary to notarize a document before authenticating it in order to use it abroad. This requirement varies from one embassy to the other or one country to the other. You should find out from the relevant authorities (embassy or institution where you will submit the document abroad) whether notarization and authentication need to be done on a particular document you intend to use in that country.
Based on our experience as the premier attestation services company with specialization in the authentication and legalization of documents in Cameroon, we know for sure that notarization and authentication must be done together for documents to be submitted to some Embassies like of China and of Qatar. In other words, if you want to use a document (such as your school certificates, police character certificate, birth certificate, marriage certificate, etc) in China or Qatar, it is not only sufficient to authenticate it, you must also notarize such a document in order for it to be admissible for legalization and use in these countries. In this case, notarization and authentication of documents must go hand in hand.
Please note that this notarization and authentication requirement may not only apply to China and Qatar-bound documents. It may also apply to a number of other countries or embassies, and it is important for you to find out before you commence the authentication process.
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