Authentication of TEFL/TESOL Certificates

What is the difference between Apostille & Authentication?

An Apostille is a form of authentication for documents for countries who are signatories to the Hague Convention of 1961. Apostilles are only used to authenticate documents to be used in another country.

Authentication is used for documents from countries which are not signatories to the Hague Convention e.g. China, Vietnam and Saudi Arabia. Also, read the article ‘What is the difference between apostille & authentication?’ for further information.

How to get a document Authenticated?

Authentication can only be done with an original certificate (not a digital/scanned copy). Authentication must be done in your home country – first the certificate must be notarized by a Notary Public, then it must be sent to the Embassy concerned (e.g. China /Vietnam/ Saudi Arabia) for authentication/legalization. This can be an arduous and in some cases an expensive process. It is recommended that graduates have their TEFL certificates authenticated before leaving home to start a new English teaching job. It is further recommended that you use an agent to take care of this process for you as this will be well worth the money spent. There are many online companies around the world that will do the authentication on your behalf and mail all the authenticated documents back to you. One such company is ‘Be Authentic’ – a South African based company which provides such a service for South African students. *Unfortunately, the purpose of this article is not to provide a list different service providers around the globe – but you can easily do the research for yourself.

Does a TEFL Certificate have to be authenticated for China and Vietnam?

As of 1st April 2017, the Chinese government requires that all foreign teachers have their TEFL certificates authenticated. This process is apparently applies for the renewal of permits expiring this year for those teachers already working as English teachers in China.

*There has been a considerable amount of confusion and discontent surrounding the imposition by a number of countries introducing the requirement of having TEFL/TESOL certificates authenticated. These authorities site the need for TEFL authentication due to the growing incidence of document fraud. Although this may well be the case, it has certainly led to a great deal of confusion and discontent in the TEFL community – with many often choosing alternative teaching destinations due to the increasing difficulties and hurdles to overcome. Confusion is further sewn due to the lack of information provided by authorities on the one hand and the multitude of inaccurate information disseminated by employers and agents on the other.

It is our understanding (although still under considerable debate and conjecture) that online TEFL/TESOL certificates may be authenticated in the student’s country of origin due to the fact that online TEFL/TESOL course providers are often located in other parts of the world. *Some students working in Vietnam have had their TEFL/TESOL certificates notarized and authenticated in Vietnam – but it would be best to check with your employer. It must be further noted that the responsibility for having TEFL/TESOL certificates authenticated lies on the shoulders of the students and they should request the assistance and guidance of their prospective employers and agents. *It is not the responsibility of the TEFL/TESOL course provider to assist students/graduates in this regard.

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