South Africa
Apostille in South Africa
At a glance
Who issues apostilles in South Africa, and what does it cost?
| Uses apostilles? | Uses apostilles1 |
|---|---|
| Member since | 1 |
| How it joined | Joined later (accession), 1 |
| Who issues apostilles | Registrars of the High Court of South Africa (divisions in Pretoria, Johannesburg, Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, Durban, Pietermaritzburg and Bloemfontein), signatures of public notaries and sworn translators practising in the same jurisdiction, such as notarised copies, affidavits, powers of attorney and translations2 Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO), Legalisation Section, Pretoria, original government-issued documents sent to it directly, such as Department of Home Affairs certificates and police clearance certificates2 |
| Fee | Not published by the office (all documents)2checked 18 October 2026 |
| Processing time | Not published by the office2checked 18 October 2026 |
| Documents covered | 4 kinds of document listed by the office |
| What the receiving side decides | Whether it accepts the document: for example how recent it must be and whether it needs a translation. |
| Last checked |
Step by step
How to get an apostille in South Africa
Have the documents verified by a public notary (an attorney registered at the High Court) or a sworn translator of your choice.2
Take them to the Registrar of the High Court in the same jurisdiction as the notary or translator, naming the country where the document will be used.2
If the destination country is a party to the Apostille Convention, the High Court issues and affixes the apostille and the document should not be sent to DIRCO.2
For original Home Affairs certificates and police clearance certificates, send the originals, in person or by courier, to the Legalisation Section at DIRCO in Pretoria.2
Documents
Common documents
As listed by the office:
- Documents verified by a public notary, such as affidavits, powers of attorney, work contracts and copies of passports or identity documents2
- Translations by a sworn translator2
- Original birth, marriage and death certificates and Letters of No Impediment signed and stamped by the Department of Home Affairs2
- Original police clearance certificates not older than six months2
More about these documents: birth certificate, marriage certificate, death certificate, certificate of no impediment, criminal record certificate, power of attorney, affidavit or sworn statement, certified copy of a document, sworn or certified translation.
Contacts
Who to contact in South Africa
- Apostille officeRegistrars of the High Court of South Africa (divisions in Pretoria, Johannesburg, Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, Durban, Pietermaritzburg and Bloemfontein)2Signatures of public notaries and sworn translators practising in the same jurisdiction, such as notarised copies, affidavits, powers of attorney and translations
- Apostille officeDepartment of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO), Legalisation Section, Pretoria2Original government-issued documents sent to it directly, such as Department of Home Affairs certificates and police clearance certificateslegalisation@dirco.gov.za
- The office that will receive your documentAsk it before you start what it needs: an apostille, a translation, or a document issued recently.
Common situations
Using a document from or in South Africa
A document issued in South Africa
The apostille comes from South Africa, from the office named above. It works in any other country where the Convention applies with South Africa.
Check where it can be usedA document for use in South Africa
Get the apostille in the country that issued the document, not in South Africa. South Africa accepts it if that country is also a member and the Convention applies between the two.
Check your countryGood to know
Good to know
Note: Rule
A Registrar can only verify the signatures of a notary registered at the same High Court or of a sworn translator registered in the same jurisdiction.2
Note: Rule
When copies of Home Affairs certificates, police clearance certificates or qualifications are authenticated by the High Court, the underlying document is not authenticated, so DIRCO asks for the originals.2
Note: Rule
South African degrees must first be verified by SAQA, national senior certificates by Umalusi, school reports by the Department of Basic Education and trade certificates by QCTO.2
Note: Rule
Copies of documents signed by a member of the South African Police Service are not accepted for legalisation.2
Note: Rule
For a divorce decree, the High Court that granted the divorce can affix the apostille directly if the destination country is a Convention party, after a current Registrar or Assistant Registrar has signed and stamped it.2
Before the apostille
Private documents
A private document, such as a power of attorney or a contract, is first signed in front of a notary public, and the apostille then goes on the notary’s certificate. A copy of a public document from another country is first certified by a notary public, then apostilled.
An apostille only confirms the signature, the role of the person who signed and any seal or stamp on the document. It does not confirm what the document says. The office that receives the document decides what it accepts.
Questions
Questions about apostilles in South Africa
Does South Africa accept apostilles?
Yes. South Africa has been a member of the Apostille Convention since 30 April 1995, so it issues and accepts apostilles for documents exchanged with other member countries.
Who issues apostilles in South Africa?
Registrars of the High Court of South Africa (divisions in Pretoria, Johannesburg, Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, Durban, Pietermaritzburg and Bloemfontein) (signatures of public notaries and sworn translators practising in the same jurisdiction, such as notarised copies, affidavits, powers of attorney and translations) and Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO), Legalisation Section, Pretoria (original government-issued documents sent to it directly, such as Department of Home Affairs certificates and police clearance certificates).
How much does an apostille cost in South Africa?
Not published by the office (all documents). Fees can change, so check the office’s own page before you apply.
How long does an apostille take in South Africa?
The office does not publish a processing time (checked 18 October 2026).
Do I need to notarise a private document first?
Yes. A private document, such as a power of attorney or a contract, is first signed in front of a notary public. The apostille is then added to the notary’s certificate, not to the private document itself.
Is an apostille valid in countries that are not Convention members?
No. An apostille only works in other member countries. Countries outside the Convention use a different process, usually called legalisation. The office that receives your document decides what it accepts.
Sources and verification
Sources
- HCCH status table: Apostille Convention (1961)
- Information sheet: Public Notary / Sworn Translator / Registrar of the High Court of South Africa (version 01/2025)
- Status
- Last verified: (18 October 2026)
- How it was checked
- Checked by our team against the sources above
- Next review
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