Eswatini follows the Roman-Dutch common law tradition shared with South Africa, works in English and accepts apostilles. A power of attorney is therefore comparatively simple to prepare — provided you understand the land question, which is where most plans go wrong.
Quick facts
The majority of land is Swazi Nation Land, allocated through chiefs and held in trust rather than owned, with a smaller portion of title deed land that behaves like freehold. A power of attorney can do very different things depending on which is involved.
Fees breakdown
| Item | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Consular act | Not published | Ask the embassy |
| Apostille | $3–$25 per document | Often sufficient |
| U.S. notarisation | $5–$25 per signature | First step for private documents |
| Lawyer’s fees in Eswatini | Agreed with the firm | Drafting and completion |
| Deeds registry | Charged there | For title deed land |
Because an apostille is often enough, an Eswatini power of attorney can sometimes be completed without any consular step at all. Ask the lawyer there which route they want.
How to apply
- Instruct a lawyer in Eswatini to draft the instrument.
- Establish whether the land is Swazi Nation Land or title deed land.
- Ask whether an apostille suffices or a consular act is wanted.
- Collect the identity details of everyone named.
- Execute the document as instructed and send it tracked.
- Register it where the transaction requires it.
Required documents
- Eswatini passport or identity document.
- The draft prepared in Eswatini.
- Full details of the person receiving the authority.
- Title or allocation references.
- Evidence of relationship for inheritance matters.
- Payment as instructed.
Where to apply
At the embassy in Washington where a consular act is required, or through the apostille route where it is not.
Additional notes
You may not need the embassy
Where an apostille satisfies the receiving office, the consular step drops out entirely.
Nation land or title deed
The two behave completely differently. Establish which applies before drafting anything.
Chiefs allocate
Where land is Swazi Nation Land, allocation runs through traditional authority rather than a registry alone.
Revocation
Revoking requires a further instrument through the same route, with notice to whoever holds the original.