Apostille F.A.Q

Apostille Police Clearance Certificate

South African Police Clearance Certificate
                   Documents needed:
  • Original document with a Registered Signature or a Notarised Copy.
Process for an Apostille Country:
  • If an Original Certificate Present to DIRCO for Apostille.
  • If a Notary Copy present to the High Court for Apostille.
Process where it is NOT an Apostille Country and the Documents must also be attested by the Local Embassy.
  •  If an Original Certificate Present to DIRCO for Authentication
  • If a Notary Copy present to the High Court for Authentication then to DIRCO for Authentication.
  • After DIRCO present to relevant Embassy for Attestation

Apostille Drivers License Confirmation Letter

Drivers License Confirmation Letter
                   Documents needed:
  • Original document with a Registered Signature or a Notarised Copy.
Process for an Apostille Country:
  • If an Original Certificate Present to DIRCO for Apostille.
  • If a Notary Copy present to the High Court for Apostille.
Process where it is NOT an Apostille Country and the Documents must also be attested by the Local Embassy.
  •  If an Original Certificate Present to DIRCO for Authentication
  • If a Notary Copy present to the High Court for Authentication then to DIRCO for Authentication.
  • After DIRCO present to relevant Embassy for Attestation

Apostille Academic Qualifications

 Tertiary Qualifications with Institutions Registered with SAQUA
                   Documents needed:
  • Photo Quality Copy of  Degree, Diploma, or Certificate.
  • Copy of applicant ID
  • SAQUA Application and Consent Form.
  • Third-Party Collection authorisation.
Process for an Apostille Country:
  • Certificates are presented to SAQUA for Confirmation and Authentication.
  • The authenticated document is presented to DIRCO for Apostille.
Process where it is NOT an Apostille Country and the Documents must also be attested by the Local Embassy.
  • Certificates are presented to SAQUA for Confirmation and Authentication.
  • The authenticated document is presented to DIRCO for Apostille.
  • After DIRCO presented to relevant Embassy for Attestation
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Apostille Non SAQUA Academic Qualifications

Tertiary Qualifications with Institutions NOT Registered with SAQUA i.e TEFLA and SAGE
                   Documents needed:
  • Photo Quality Copy of  Degree, Diploma, or Certificate.
  • Copy of applicant ID
  • Third-Party Collection authorisation.
Process for an Apostille Country:
  • Obtain a Notary Copy.
  • The Notary Copy is Presented to The High Court for Apostille.
Process where it is NOT an Apostille Country and the Documents must also be attested by the Local Embassy.
  • Obtain a Notary Copy.
  • The Notary Copy is Presented to The High Court for Authentication.
  • The High Court Authenticated Copy  is Presented to DIRCO for Authentication
  • After DIRCO presented to relevant Embassy for Attestation

Apostille Senior Certificate and School Transfer Documents

Department of Basic Education Documents: Senior Certificate and School Transfer Documents.
                   Documents needed:
  • Photo Quality Copy of  Degree, Diploma, or Certificate.
  • Copy of applicant ID
  • Third-Party Collection authorisation.
Process for an Apostille Country:
  • Present Qualification or Transfer documents to Department of Basic Education.
  • Present Authenticated Documents for Apostille at DIRCO.
Process where it is NOT an Apostille Country and the Documents must also be attested by the Local Embassy.
  • Present Qualification or Transfer documents to the Department of Basic Education.
  • Present Authenticated Documents for Authentication at DIRCO.
  • After DIRCO presented to relevant Embassy for Attestation

What is The Difference between a Notary Copy, Apostille and Embassy Attestation


                   With Apostille the process is finalised when the Apostille Certificate and Seal are affixed to the document.
With Embassy attestation all documents must be Authenticated ( Same rules apply and also done by DIRCO) at DIRCO and then presented to the relevant Embassy for Attestation.
The attestation process is More Expensive than the Apostille process as there is an Xtra step and all Embassy charge an Attestation fee which can be substantial

Can Laminated or Certified documents be used.

Neither Laminated or Certified documents are accepted by DIRCO.

What is The difference between apostille and notarization:

A notarised document is a copy of the document which is certified by an attorney Registered at The High Court. This Proces just confirms that it is an original document without alterations.
 An apostille to a document is the authentication, that the document was authenticated as been issued and signed by a specially appointed government official. The apostille is internationally accepted under a convention of The Hague. In South Africa the Apostille is issued by The Department of International Relations and Co-operation or as Generally known DIRCO
An Embassy Attested document has the same value as an Apostille document with the difference that the  Apostille Certificate is substituted by an Authentication Certificate at DIRCO with a final Attestation by the relevant Embassy.

Which Documents can be presented direct to DIRCO for Apostille or Authentication ?


  • Birth Certificate
  • Marriage Certificate
  • Death Certificate
  • Letter of No Impediment
  • Police Clearance Certificate
  • Drivers License Confirmation
  • SANDF Exemption Letter
 

What is a Notary Copy?

A notarized copy is a photocopy of an original document that has been certified as a true copy of the original by an attorney who is registered as a Notary Public at the High Court.
These copies can be Apostilled and Authenticated.

What if I need a Certified Translation ?

A certified translation is one that fulfills the requirements in the country in question, enabling it to be used in formal procedures, with the translator accepting responsibility for its accuracy. In South Africa these translators are registered at the local High Court. These translations can be Apostilled or Attested for use outside of South Africa.

Which Documents must first be Authenticated before presenting them to DIRCO?

The following documents must first be presented to the relevant authorities to be Authenticated.
  • All Qualifications.
  • Medical Certificates.
  • School Transfer Documents.

What is a Legalised document?

What is Legalisation? For the most part, the term legalisation refers to a document being issued with the correct stamps or certificates in order to be recognised in another country.

How long does it take to Legalise a document?

How long it takes. It can take up to 10 working days to process your documents using the standard service, plus courier or postage time. Call the Legalisation Office if your application is urgent.

What documents should be Legalised?

Most documents that needs to used or presented in another country must be legalised depending on the status of the destination country for example:
  • Birth Certificate
  • Adoption Certificates
  • Marriage Certificate
  • Certificate of No Impediment to Marriage
  • Death certificate/Coroners certificate
  • Affidavits attested before notary.
  • Divorce Order.

How much does it cost to Legalise a document?

The cost of the apostille is R850 and Authentication is R950 per document. We give substantial discounts for bulk orders.