South African Apostille & Legalisation

Need a South African document authenticated for use overseas? Tell us what document you have, where it will be used and what the receiving authority has requested. We can help establish the appropriate authentication route and manage the South African process.

7-10 DAYS Apostille processing

Allow up to 10 additional working days Where an apostille follows another document-retrieval service, this authentication stage is additional to the time required to obtain the underlying document.

Start My Authentication Case → I'm Not Sure What Authentication I Need

Start with the destination requirement

Apostille and legalisation are not the same route for every document or country.

The correct process depends on the document, destination and the requirements of the organisation that will receive it.

✓

Tell us which document you have Birth certificate, marriage certificate, death certificate or another South African document.

✓

Tell us where it will be used The destination country and receiving authority are important to establishing the route.

✓

Show us the requirement Upload or quote the wording from the authority if you have been given written instructions.

✓

We manage the South African stage Once the appropriate authentication route is established, it can be managed through your SA Docs case.

Not sure whether the words “apostille”, “legalisation” or “authentication” apply to you? Create an account and chat with us →

Understanding authentication

What is an apostille, and when might you need one?

An apostille is a form of authentication used so that a South African public document can be presented for official use in another country where the relevant apostille arrangements apply.

It does not replace your original document. The birth certificate, marriage certificate, death certificate or other South African document must first be available, after which the appropriate authentication stage can take place.

You may encounter different wording from overseas authorities, including apostille, authentication, legalisation or certification for foreign use. These terms should not automatically be treated as identical. The correct route depends on the document, destination country and requirements of the authority receiving it.

If SA Docs is also obtaining the underlying document for you, authentication can follow as part of the same case. You do not need to receive the document overseas and then organise a separate South African process yourself.

Start my authentication case →

What we need to understand first

The South African document Tell us which document needs authentication and whether you already have the original document available.

The destination country Tell us where the authenticated document will ultimately be used.

The receiving authority For example a citizenship authority, registry office, court, immigration department or other organisation.

The exact requirement you've been given Upload or quote the wording from the checklist, email or official instruction wherever possible.

Apostille timing: allow approximately 7–10 working days for the apostille stage once the underlying document is available. If we first need to obtain the document itself, its retrieval time is additional.

Been told your document must be “legalised” but don't know whether that means an apostille? Create your SA Docs account and start chatting with us. Show us exactly what the receiving authority has requested, tell us which document you have and where it will be used. We will listen to your requirements and help guide you towards the appropriate authentication route.

Create Account & Chat With Us →