If you need a South African document recognised in another country, you may need an apostille certificate. We handle the full apostille process — from notarisation through to lodgement at DIRCO or the High Court — so you do not have to navigate the system yourself.
What Is an Apostille Certificate?
An apostille is an official certificate issued under the Hague Apostille Convention that confirms the authenticity of a document for use in another country. It is attached to your original document and is recognised by all member countries of the Convention.
South Africa has been a member since 2023. For Hague Convention countries, an apostille replaces the need for embassy legalisation. Over 120 countries are members. If the destination country is not a member, see our document legalisation page.
DIRCO Apostille Service
DIRCO issues apostille certificates for government-issued documents — documents originating from a South African state department.
Documents That Go Through DIRCO
- Birth certificates (unabridged, issued by Home Affairs)
- Marriage certificates
- Death certificates
- Police clearance certificates (issued by SAPS)
- Court orders
Process and Timeframe
- Document review — We check your document meets DIRCO’s requirements.
- Lodgement at DIRCO — We lodge at DIRCO’s Pretoria offices on your behalf.
- Processing — DIRCO verifies and attaches the apostille (5–10 working days).
- Collection and return — We return it by your preferred method.
Important DIRCO Rules: Original documents only (no photocopies). Laminated documents are rejected. Since September 2024, DIRCO requires the original SAPS police clearance certificate — notarised copies no longer accepted.
High Court Apostille Service
The High Court issues apostille certificates for documents that have been notarised by a notary public — private documents, commercial documents, and notarised copies.
- Notarised copies of passports, IDs, and qualifications
- Powers of attorney (notarised)
- Affidavits and statutory declarations (notarised)
- Commercial contracts and company resolutions (notarised)
- TEFL certificates and life certificates (notarised)
High Court apostilles typically take 5 to 15 working days.
Apostille by Document Type
Birth Certificates — Unabridged, apostilled through DIRCO. More info →
Police Clearance — Original SAPS certificate, apostilled through DIRCO. More info →
Academic Qualifications — SAQA-accredited via SAQA route; TEFL/non-SAQA via notarisation + High Court. More info →
Powers of Attorney — Notarised and apostilled through High Court. More info →
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does an apostille cost?
Depends on document type and whether notarisation is required. Government fees are charged separately. Contact us for a detailed quote.
How long does it take?
DIRCO: 5–10 working days. High Court: 5–15 working days.
Can I get an apostille on a certified copy?
No. DIRCO requires the original. The High Court route uses notarised copies (different from certified copies). See our certified vs notarised copies page.
Do I need to come to Pretoria in person?
Not necessarily. You can courier existing documents to us. If the document requires your signature before a notary, you need to appear in person.
Ready to Get Started?
Contact us today for a quote or to discuss your requirements.