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Documents Legalization in South Africa
Where can I get my documents apostilled in South Africa?
Basically, depending on the type of documentation, you may first have to get the documentation stamped/signed by the appropriate department or institution; by a magistrate, an additional magistrate or assistant magistrate; or a registrar or an assistant registrar of the High Court of South Africa before the Legalization Section can issue the relevant Apostille or Authentication Certificate.
What are the requirement before a document is apostilled in South Africa?
The following are the requirements to get the relevant Apostille Certificate or Certificate of Authentication in South Africa:
- The documents are still valid.
- You must advise the Legalization Section in which country the document will be used to allow the section to determine if an Apostille or Authentication Certificate is required.
- Depending on the type of documentation, you may first have to get the documentation stamped/signed by the appropriate department or institution; by a magistrate, an additional magistrate or assistant magistrate; or a registrar or an assistant registrar of the High Court of South Africa before the Legalization Section can issue the relevant Apostille or Authentication Certificate.
Which documents cannot be apostilled in South Africa?
The following documents are not accepted:
- Abridged documents or computer printouts.
- Certified copies of marriage, birth, death or police clearance certificates.
- Certified copies of certificates of marital status (no impediment) or proof of citizenship.
- Certified copies of travel documents or identity documents.
- Documents legalized by commissioners of oath to be true copies of the original must be taken to a public notary (an attorney who is registered at the High Court).
How much does it cost for me to get my documents Apostilled in South Africa?
The tables below show the various prices and cost required to get documents apostilled in South Africa:
| Apostille/Authentication/Attestation fees | Price (ZAR) | Estimated timing
(not guaranteed) |
| Apostille/Authentication DIRCO (Pretoria) |
R875 per document |
~4-8 weeks (by DIRCO appointment) |
| Apostilled SA qualification (includes SAQA and DIRCO) |
R2,250 Estimated timing |
~4-8 weeks |
| Apostilled SA medical certificate (includes HPCSA and DIRCO) |
R2,250 | ~4-6 weeks Estimated timing |
| Notarisations (by notary public) |
R950 per page |
1-2 working days (in person) |
| Certifications (by Commissioner of Oaths) |
R500 per page |
1 working day |
| Embassy attestations Read here: Attestations |
Both service and embassy fees vary. | 1-6 weeks (depends on country) |
| Police Clearance Certificates for South Africa | ||
| SAPS Police Clearance (Basic service) |
R2,775 | 20-30 working days Estimated timing |
| SAPS Police Clearance (Extra attention) |
R3,850 | 15-20 working days Estimated timing |
| SAPS Police Clearance (Priority service) |
R4,950 | 9-12 working days Estimated timing |
| SAPS Police Clearance (Front-of-queue service) |
R6,350 | 4-7 working days Estimated timing |
| SAPS Police Clearance (Speed up existing application) |
R5,500 | 5 working days Estimated timing |
For personal Documents:
| Personal Documents | ||
| Status check | R875 | 1-2 days |
| Letter of No Impediment (single or divorced status) |
R4,850 | Usually 4-8 weeks Estimated timing |
| Confirmation of Marriage (proof of marriage) |
R4,850 Mainly for foreign marriages |
Usually 4-8 weeks Estimated timing |
| Unabridged Marriage Certificate (or abridged) |
R4,850 | Usually 4-8 weeks Estimated timing |
| Surname change (due to marriage or divorce only) |
R3,750 | Usually 1-2 weeks Estimated timing |
| Unabridged Birth Certificate (or abridged) |
R4,850 | Usually 4-8 weeks Estimated timing |
| Vault birth or marriage certificate | R6,500 | Usually 4-12 weeks+ Estimated timing |
| Correction on DHA documents | R1,500 | Dependent on correction No estimation |
| Record amendment or creation | R2,500 | Dependent on record No estimation |
| Marriage registration | R4,550 | Usually 2 weeks Estimated timing |
| Determination of Citizenship Status | R4,850 | Usually 4-6 weeks Estimated timing |
| Letter for Retention of SA Citizenship | R4,850 | Usually 4-8 weeks Estimated timing |
| Letter for Renunciation of SA Citizenship | R5,450 | Usually 6-12 weeks Estimated timing |
| Death certificates | R5,500 | Usually 1-8 weeks Estimated timing |
