How long does apostille take at DIRCO?

Currently, a DIRCO Apostille certificate takes three to four weeks. High Court Apostilles takes one maximum of two working days.

What is an apostille from DIRCO?
DIRCO Apostilles are official certificates attached by the Department of Foreign Affairs in South Africa to original documents and authenticate that the document and signatory on the document are verified and accurate. South Africans travelling abroad are often required to legalise their documents for official use abroad. 

How much does it cost to apostille a document at DIRCO in South Africa?

We charge a fee of R950 for a DIRCO Apostille Certificate on an original document. Click here to get a detailed quotation with time frames online. 

Do DIRCO offer a walk-in service Apostille Certificate service to the public?

No. Members of the public may not directly submit their original documents for placement of an Apostille Certificate. It's best to use the services of a professional document legalisation company to Apostille your document at DIRCO. 

Describe the Notary Public High Court Apostille Certificate process. 

The process when following the route of the i.e., Public Notary/Registrar of the High Court (when the destination country is a signatory to the Apostille Convention) – and when the Apostille Certificate will be issued and affixed If the Convention applies, an Apostille is the only formality that is required to establish the origin of the public document – no additional requirement may be imposed to authenticate the origin of the public document.

If a country is a signatory to Apostille Convention, the High Court should issue and affix an Apostille Certificate to the document.  This document should not be submitted to the DIRCO – Legalisation Section.  If the Convention applies, an Apostille is the only formality that is required to establish the origin of the public document – no additional requirement may be imposed to authenticate the origin of the public document. 

Why is DIRCO so slow to attach an Apostille Certificate?

DIRCO has dramatically slowed down its service levels over the past two years due to Covid and load shedding.

Can I expedite my DIRCO Apostille Certificate?

 No. DIRCO apostille certificates cannot be expedited. They work on a first-come-first-served basis. Using a professional document legalisation company saves considerable time as they submit multiple batches of documents per week and can secure multiple appointments to pick up apostilled documents from DIRCO. 

What is a DIRCO Apostille?

The DIRCO Apostille is a South African government service that legalises documents for use in other countries. It certifies the authenticity of signatures, stamps, and seals on public documents issued in South Africa. The service applies to documents issued by government departments, academic institutions, and public entities.

What documents can be apostilled?

You can apostille public documents such as birth certificates, marriage certificates, educational certificates, diplomas, and police clearance certificates. The service does not apply to commercial or private documents such as contracts, wills, or trademarks. These documents require notarization by a South African notary public before they can be legalized for international use.

What is the process for apostilling documents?

The process for apostilling documents involves three steps. First, you need to ensure that your document is an original or a certified copy issued by the relevant authority. Second, you need to have the document notarized by a South African notary public. Finally, you can submit the notarized document to the DIRCO Apostille Service for legalization. You can either submit the document in person or through a courier service.

What are the requirements for apostilling documents?

To apostille your documents, you need to provide the following requirements:
• The original document or certified copy issued by the relevant authority
• A valid identification document
• A payment of the prescribed fee
• A completed application form

How long does it take to apostille documents?

The processing time for the DIRCO Apostille Service is typically five - ten working days from the date of submission. However, the processing time may vary depending on the number of documents and the workload at the time of submission.

What are the benefits of apostilling documents?

Apostilling your documents through the DIRCO Apostille Service ensures that your documents are recognized as legal and valid in other countries. This process saves you time and money compared to other methods of legalizing documents. It also provides a secure and efficient way of legalizing your documents.

Can apostilled documents be used in any country?

Yes, apostilled documents can be used in any country that is a signatory to the Hague Convention. Currently, there are over 100 countries that are signatories to the convention, including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and most European countries.

How much does it cost to apostille documents?

The cost of apostilling documents through the DIRCO Apostille Service depends on the type and number of documents you want to legalize. The fee schedule is available on the DIRCO website.

Can I get my documents apostilled if I am not in South Africa?

Yes, you can get your documents apostilled if you are not in South Africa. You can either submit your documents through a courier service or appoint a representative in South Africa to submit the documents on your behalf.