Services and which one you need
What is the difference between Notarial Authentication, a High Court Apostille and DIRCO Legalisation?
Notarial Authentication is performed by a Notary Public and is the first step where a document requires notarisation. When authenticating a copy, the Notary certifies that it is a true copy of the original inspected. When authenticating a signature, the Notary verifies the signatory's identity and witnesses the document being signed in the Notary's presence.
A High Court Apostille is issued by the Western Cape High Court and confirms that the Notary Public who authenticated the document is duly admitted and authorised to practise. For countries that are not parties to the Hague Apostille Convention, the High Court issues a Certificate of Authentication instead of an Apostille.
GlobeCerti coordinates either High Court service at R600 per client. The usual High Court processing time is 2–3 working days, although this is subject to the Court's turnaround time and cannot be guaranteed.
DIRCO Legalisation authenticates original public documents issued by South African government authorities, including birth, marriage and death certificates, police clearance certificates, Letters of No Impediment, RTMC driver's licence confirmation letters, and qualifications verified by SAQA, Umalusi or the Department of Basic Education.
For Hague Convention countries, DIRCO issues an Apostille. For non-Hague countries, DIRCO issues a Certificate of Authentication, which may then require legalisation by the relevant foreign embassy or consulate.
Because DIRCO authenticates the original public document, this is generally regarded as the most widely accepted route. By contrast, the High Court authenticates a notarised copy, meaning acceptance depends on the requirements of the receiving authority. GlobeCerti coordinates the complete DIRCO process for R2,900, including our coordination fee and courier costs. DIRCO itself does not charge a government fee for issuing Apostilles or Certificates of Authentication.
Which service do I need?
Use the Document Route Finder to answer a few simple questions about the destination, document type and receiving authority. It recommends the likely route, price and timing. If the authority's requirement is unclear, send us scans and we will confirm before you pay.
The two authentication routes
DIRCO authenticates the original and the High Court authenticates a notarised copy. Which applies to me?
DIRCO issues an Apostille or Certificate of Authentication directly on the original public document. The High Court issues one on a notarised copy. Since COVID-19 the High Court also processes copies of public documents, so both routes can apply to the same document.
Route A: DIRCO, on the original
- Unabridged birth certificates
- Marriage and death certificates
- Letter of No Impediment
- Citizenship status letters (determination, retention, renunciation)
- Police clearance certificates (valid 6 months from issue)
- RTMC driver's licence confirmation letter
Route B: High Court, on a notarised copy
- Certified copies of passports and identity documents
- Academic transcripts and TEFL certificates
- Powers of attorney and corporate powers of attorney
- Sworn affidavits and single status affidavits
- Permission letters for minor children to travel internationally
- Authorisation, sponsorship and travel consent letters
- Certificates of good standing and certification of origin
- Foreign degree certificates
- Corporate documents and articles of incorporation
Who decides which route applies?
For private documents, such as powers of attorney, affidavits and declarations, the route is always the same: Notary, then High Court Apostille or Authentication. There is no choice to make.
For public documents, it depends on your receiving authority. They decide whether they will accept a notarised copy through the High Court route, or require the original through DIRCO. Always confirm with them before you submit anything.
Validity and expiry
Do apostilles expire in South Africa?
An apostille issued by the High Court of South Africa does not expire under the Hague Convention. Some receiving authorities still impose their own rule and ask for an apostille issued within 3, 6 or 12 months of submission.
The underlying document can expire independently. A South African police clearance certificate is valid for six months from the date of issue. The apostille is then rejected not because it expired, but because the document did.
Doing it yourself
Can I get a High Court Apostille myself without the coordination fee?
Yes. After notarial authentication you may take the document to the Western Cape High Court yourself and obtain the Apostille or Certificate of Authentication at no charge from the court. GlobeCerti charges R600 per client to coordinate lodgement, follow-up, upliftment and notification. The choice is yours.
Non-Hague countries and embassy attestation
What is embassy attestation and when is it required?
Embassy attestation, also called embassy legalisation, is required for documents going to countries outside the Hague Apostille Convention. The High Court or DIRCO first issues a Certificate of Authentication, which that country's embassy in South Africa must then attest before the receiving authority abroad will accept it. GlobeCerti handles the High Court or DIRCO steps in full and provides current embassy contact details for the final step. Costs and timelines are set by the embassy, vary widely and cannot be guaranteed.
Foreign documents used in South Africa
I need to use a foreign document in South Africa. What is the process?
A foreign document intended for use in South Africa can be authenticated in one of two ways: at the South African Consulate or Embassy in that country, which must comply with Rule 63 of the High Court Rules. Alternatively, a local notary in that country can authenticate it, after which that country's relevant apostille or authentication authority legalises it for use abroad. For documents from Botswana, Lesotho, the United Kingdom, Eswatini or Zimbabwe, signing before a local notary is explicitly recognised as sufficient under Rule 63, without needing the consulate route.
Which route applies depends on the document type and what the receiving South African authority will accept. Confirm with them before starting the process.
Couriers and sending documents
Can everything be done by courier?
Almost everything. Copy authentication can be couriered or dropped off by a representative. Signature authentication and Powers of Attorney cannot: the signatory must attend in person before the Notary so that identity is verified and the signing witnessed. The same applies to declarations and affidavits. Everything else goes by courier.
How do I send documents safely?
Contact us first: we confirm the Cape Town address and send you a document-specific checklist. Use a tracked courier only. CourierGuy and DHL are our recommended options, or use a courier of your choice provided it offers tracking. Include the original document being authenticated, not a photocopy, your full return address and your WhatsApp number for updates. Every original is returned worldwide with a tracking number on dispatch.
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