In Malawi, the process of obtaining an apostille follows the guidelines of the Hague Apostille Convention, which Malawi is a member of. The apostille certifies the authenticity of documents for international use in countries that are also parties to the Hague Convention.

Steps to Get an Apostille for Documents in Malawi

1. Determine the Document Type: Documents that can be apostilled in Malawi include:
   • Birth certificates
   • Marriage certificates
   • Academic diplomas and transcripts
   • Notarized documents (e.g., powers of attorney, affidavits)
   • Court decisions and other official documents issued by state authorities
2. Obtain the Document: The document must be issued by an official Malawian authority. For example:
   • Birth, marriage, or death certificates issued by the National Registration Bureau.
   • Academic diplomas issued by universities or educational institutions in Malawi.
   • Notarized documents from licensed Malawian notaries.
   • Official documents issued by government bodies or courts.
3. Notarization (if required): If your document requires notarization (such as powers of attorney, contracts, etc.), it must first be notarized by a licensed Malawian notary public before it can be apostilled.
4. Submit the Document to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs: In Malawi, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation is responsible for issuing apostilles. The Ministry acts as the central authority for apostille requests for documents issued by Malawian authorities. You will need to submit your documents to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Lilongwe, the capital city, for apostille processing.
5. Complete the Apostille Application Form: When submitting your document, you will need to complete an apostille application form. This form can typically be obtained from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or possibly from their website.
6. Pay the Apostille Fee: There is a processing fee for obtaining an apostille in Malawi. You will need to pay this fee at the time of submission. The exact fee can be verified by contacting the Ministry of Foreign Affairs directly.
7. Processing Time:
   • In-person submissions: Apostille processing typically takes 1–3 business days if submitted in person.
   • By mail: If submitting by mail, the process may take 5–7 business days, depending on postal delivery times and the volume of requests.
8. Collect the Apostilled Document: After the apostille is applied, you can collect the apostilled document from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Lilongwe, or it can be mailed back to you if you submitted your request by post.

Key Points:

• Malawi is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention, so documents apostilled in Malawi are valid in other countries that are also members of the convention and vice versa.
• Only the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation is authorized to issue apostilles for documents in Malawi.
• Foreign documents must be apostilled in their country of origin before they can be used in Malawi.

Documents and Information You Will Need:

• The original document you want to have apostilled.
• A completed apostille application form.
• Proof of identity (passport or national ID card may be required).
• Payment for the apostille fee.

Where to Go for Apostille in Malawi:

• Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation:
  • Address: Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Capital Hill, Lilongwe, Malawi.
  • Phone: +265 1 789 200 / +265 1 789 222
  • Website: Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Malawi

For up-to-date information on fees, the apostille application form, and processing times, it’s best to contact the Ministry of Foreign Affairs directly.