What Is an Apostille



If you are planning to emigrate, marry abroad, apply for a visa, or study internationally, you will likely be asked to submit official South African documents. These documents must be apostilled to be accepted in most foreign countries.

What Does Apostille Mean?

An apostille is a certificate issued by the South African government that confirms a document is authentic and legally valid for use abroad. It verifies that the signature, stamp, or seal on the document is genuine.

South Africa is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention. This means that any document issued in South Africa with an apostille is accepted in over 120 countries without the need for further legalisation.

What Is an Apostille Certificate in South Africa?

An apostille certificate is issued by the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) in Pretoria. It is a small folded certificate attached to your original document, confirming its authenticity.

Documents that commonly require apostilles include:

  • Birth, marriage, and death certificates
  • Police clearance certificates
  • Educational qualifications and transcripts
  • Powers of attorney and affidavits
  • Divorce decrees
  • Letters of No Impediment

For more information, see our guide on apostilles and legalisation of documents.

Why Do Documents Need to Be Apostilled?

When using South African documents overseas for emigration, marriage, employment, or study, foreign authorities require proof that the document is authentic. Without an apostille, your paperwork may be rejected by embassies, employers, or immigration officials.

How Do You Get an Apostille in South Africa?

To obtain an apostille, the document must first be verified by the relevant authority, such as Home Affairs, SAPS, or the Department of Education. Once verified, it is submitted to DIRCO for apostille certification.

DIRCO’s turnaround time is typically eight to twelve weeks or longer. For this reason, many clients choose Immigration Assist. We manage the entire process, from verification to final apostille, and offer expedited services that can be completed in as little as one week.

Who Can Issue Apostilles in South Africa?

Only authorised officials may issue apostilles. These include:

  • DIRCO for most civil and personal documents
  • High Court Registrars for court-issued documents
  • Education Departments for academic records prior to DIRCO submission

Be cautious of private or online notarisation services. Only official apostilles issued by recognised authorities are valid internationally.

How Much Does It Cost to Apostille a Document in South Africa?

DIRCO does not charge a fee for issuing apostilles. However, courier services, document verification, and administrative handling may incur costs.

At Immigration Assist, our pricing is transparent and includes all administration, tracking, and delivery fees. Visit our apostille and legalisation services page for more details.

Which Countries Accept Apostilles?

Countries that are part of the Hague Apostille Convention, such as the United Kingdom, United States, Australia, and most European nations, accept South African apostilles directly.

Countries that are not part of the Convention, including China and the United Arab Emirates, require embassy or consular legalisation. Immigration Assist also offers assistance with embassy legalisation for these cases.

Which Documents Typically Require Apostilles?

You may need apostilles for:

  • Unabridged birth or marriage certificates
  • Police clearance certificates
  • Educational certificates and transcripts
  • Powers of attorney or affidavits
  • Letters of No Impediment

Explore related articles:
Unabridged Birth Certificates South Africa
Certificate of No Impediment to Marry

How Long Does It Take to Get Documents Apostilled?

DIRCO’s standard processing time is eight to twelve weeks, depending on the backlog. Immigration Assist offers a fast-track service that can reduce this to one week.

Can You Get an Apostille Immediately?

Same-day apostilles are not available through DIRCO. However, Immigration Assist ensures your documents are correctly verified, submitted, and tracked to avoid delays and reduce waiting time.

Final Thoughts

Apostilling documents in South Africa can be a slow and frustrating process. Immigration Assist simplifies this by managing every step, ensuring your documents are properly verified and processed quickly.

Contact Immigration Assist

For professional help with apostilles, legalisation, and document preparation:

Call or WhatsApp: +27 82 973 0454
Email: dean@immigrationassist.co.za
Website: www.immigrationassist.co.za


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

UK Visa Trends: What South Africans Moving to the UK Need to Know in 2025

If you're a South African planning to study, work, or reunite with family in the UK, it's crucial to understand the significant changes in visa policies that have taken effect in 2025. Here's a comprehensive overview tailored for our community: 📉 Overall Decline in UK Visa Applications UK visa applications have seen a substantial drop, with a 37% decrease in 2024 compared to the previous year. This decline is primarily due to stricter immigration rules implemented by the UK government, affecting various visa categories including skilled workers, students, and family reunification.   ---   🎓 Impact on International Students International students have been significantly affected by these policy change:   Dependants Restriction As of January 2024, most international students are no longer allowed to bring family members to the UK, except for those enrolled in postgraduate research programs or government-sponsored scholarship.   Decrease in Stu...
Read more

🎓 Why the UK Should Be Welcoming More International Students – And What It Means for South Africans

Image
If you’re a South African student thinking about studying in the UK—or a parent supporting one—you may have noticed that the immigration landscape is shifting. Recently, debates within the UK government have highlighted tensions around international student policies. Let’s break it down and explore why this matters to us in the South African community.   🇬🇧 The UK’s Internal Immigration Tug-of-War There’s a growing divide in the UK government about how to handle immigration, particularly when it comes to international students. Some politicians are pushing for tighter restrictions, especially on students bringing dependants. But others—including universities and economists—argue that these students are a vital asset to the UK.   Why? Because international students contribute billions to the UK economy each year. In fact, the higher education sector has become one of the country's strongest "exports." These students not only pay tuition but also rent homes, ...
Read more

Preparing for the Big Move: What South Africans Should Know Before Starting Life in the UK

Image
  A Guide for South Africans Moving to the UK: What to Expect and How to Prepare Moving to a new country is exciting but can be a terrifying experience, especially when it involves significant changes like relocating from South Africa to the United Kingdom. Based on the experiences of fellow South Africans who have made this transition, here are some key tips and advice to help with a smooth transition. 1. Get Your Documents in Order Before leaving South Africa, ensure that all your important documents are up to date: Driver’s License: Make sure your South African driver’s license is valid so you can exchange it for a UK one as soon as possible. This will make your life much easier when you need to drive in the UK. Police Clearance Certificate: Obtain a South African police clearance certificate before you leave. It’s much easier to get this done while you’re still in the country. Banking Matters: If you plan to keep your South Af...
Read more