Legalisation, certified copies and translation
Nearly every Cameroonian application asks for 'certified true copies' or 'legalised documents'. These words cover three different operations: certifying that a photocopy matches the original, authenticating a signature, and getting a Cameroonian document recognised abroad. As Cameroon has not joined the Hague Apostille Convention, that last step goes through a chain of legalisations. Here is who handles each one, what it costs and how long to allow.
Information checked on
At a glance
- Certified copies
- Town hall or sub-prefecture (and other authorised officials)
- Documents for use abroad
- MINREX (Yaoundé, branch in Douala), then the embassy of the destination country
- Apostille
- No: Cameroon is not party to the Hague Convention (status at 30 June 2026)
- Official translation
- Sworn translators registered with a Court of Appeal
Three operations not to be confused
| Operation | What it is for | Who does it |
|---|---|---|
| Certifying a copy | Confirming that a photocopy faithfully reproduces the original shown | Town hall, sub-prefecture |
| Signature legalisation | Authenticating a private person's signature (power of attorney, sworn statement, contract) | Town hall, sub-prefecture |
| Diplomatic legalisation | Getting a Cameroonian document recognised abroad | MINREX, then the embassy or consulate of the destination country |
| Court documents | Copies of judgments and registry documents | Courts (registry) |
Certified copies and signature legalisation
You show the original and its photocopy; the mayor, the sub-prefect or their deputy adds a stamp and signature. For a signature legalisation, the signatory comes in person with ID. It is usually done on the spot or within 24 hours. The General Tax Code makes photocopies standing in for originals subject to the same stamp duty as the document reproduced, hence the stamps asked for at the counter.
| Service | Indicative cost | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Certified copy (town hall) | 200 to 500 per document | Immediate to 24 h |
| Signature legalisation | 500 to 1,000 | Immediate to 24 h |
| Revenue stamp (if required) | 1,000 each | — |
| Legalisation at MINREX | 3,000 to 5,000 | 24 to 72 h |
| Consular legalisation (foreign embassy) | 5,000 to 25,000 | 3 to 15 days |
Some administrations have their own rules on which official certifies and how old copies may be: civil service exam notices from MINFOPRA, for instance, are covered on the page about entrance exams. The Ministry of Transport's driving licence platform also asks for certified copies of the ID card and, for a conversion, of the foreign licence.
Getting a document recognised abroad
A Cameroonian birth certificate, diploma or criminal record intended for use abroad goes through a three-step chain: the document is first certified or authenticated locally by the authority that issued it, then legalised at the Ministry of External Relations (MINREX) in Yaoundé or at its Douala branch, and finally, if the destination country requires it, by that country's embassy or consulate in Cameroon. Certificates must go through MINREX before the foreign embassy.
- Diplomas and transcripts
- Birth and marriage certificates
- Employment certificates
- Powers of attorney and sworn statements
- Contracts and commercial documents
- Medical certificates, driving licences for use abroad
MINREX legalisation fees are among the ministry's charges that can be paid online, according to the specialist site Le Fisk. For documents issued abroad for use in Cameroon, the reverse procedure goes through the Cameroonian embassy or consulate in the country where the document was issued (see the page on procedures from abroad).
What about the apostille?
The apostille is a single certificate that replaces the chain of legalisations between countries party to the Hague Convention of 5 October 1961. Cameroon is not among the 130 contracting parties listed by the Hague Conference in its table updated on 30 June 2026. The Spanish embassy in Yaoundé confirms this for the three countries it covers: Cameroon, Chad and the Central African Republic. A Cameroonian document therefore cannot be apostilled: it has to be legalised.
Some online guides nevertheless talk about an 'apostille' issued in Cameroon. The word is being misused there for MINREX legalisation; if a foreign country insists on an apostille in the strict sense, ask it which procedure it accepts instead.
Official translation
Cameroon is bilingual: a document in French or English is in principle accepted in either language by the Cameroonian administration. For use abroad, or for a document in another language, you go to a sworn translator registered with a Court of Appeal. Before paying, check that they are on a Court of Appeal's list of experts; the Association of Translation and Interpreting Professionals of Cameroon (APTIC), in Yaoundé, also keeps a list of its members.
| Document | Price per page |
|---|---|
| Civil status certificate | 7,500 to 10,000 |
| Diploma (baccalaureate, bachelor's) | 10,000 to 15,000 |
| Transcript | 15,000 to 25,000 |
| Express service (under 48 h) | +30% |
Frequently asked questions
Where can I get a document legalised in Cameroon?
Certified copies and signature legalisations are done at the town hall or sub-prefecture. For use abroad, the document then goes to MINREX, in Yaoundé or Douala, and often to the destination country's embassy.
How much does a certified copy cost in Cameroon?
Between 200 and 500 CFA francs per document at a town hall according to an August 2026 survey, plus a 1,000 CFA franc revenue stamp where required. No national schedule is published.
Does Cameroon use the apostille?
No. Cameroon is not party to the 1961 Hague Convention: its documents must be legalised by MINREX and then, if needed, by the destination country's embassy.
How long does MINREX legalisation take?
24 to 72 hours according to Infos Pratiques Cameroun (2026), for 3,000 to 5,000 CFA francs. Add the foreign embassy's processing time, 3 to 15 days.
How do I find a sworn translator in Cameroon?
Ask a Court of Appeal registry for its list of sworn translators, or contact APTIC in Yaoundé. Expect 7,500 to 25,000 CFA francs a page depending on the document.
Handle with care
All amounts on this page come from private guides (Infos Pratiques Cameroun, Cameroon Desks): no official schedule from councils, MINREX or translators could be found online. Exactly which officials may certify copies (town halls, sub-prefectures, police stations) and which documents a given administration will refuse depend on the receiving body.