Apostilles in South Africa
An Apostille Certificate legalises official public documents executed within South Africa for use outside the Republic of South Africa. Some governments currently require an Apostille Authentication in order to process teaching visas.
At present, the South African government specifically states that:
"The following documents need not be legalised by the Court as stipulated above, provided the documents were signed by the relevant authority as listed below: ...
...D) Educational certificates signed and stamped by the authorised employee at the Department of Education; E) Police Clearance Certificates signed and stamped by the Criminal Record Centre of the South African Police Service (a Police Clearance certificate is only valid for three months);"
See the Department of International Relations and Cooperation's website for more information.
Police Clearance Certificates signed and stamped by the Criminal Record Centre of the South African Police Service can be sent straight to the Department of International Relations and Coperation to get the Apostille Authentication.
South African Police Service:
To obtain a Police Clearance Certificate:
Contact the Criminal Record Centre of the SAPS
Tel: (012) 393 3928
Fax: (012) 393 3909
Visit the SAPS website for more information.
Note that Police Clearance Certificates must be no older than 6 months old.
Office Hours of the South Africa Department of Foreign Affairs
Monday - Friday, excluding public holidays
08:30 to 12:30
Postal Address
Chief Directorate: Consular Services (Legalisation Section)
Department of International Relations and Cooperation
Private Bag X152
Pretoria
0001
Physical Address
Legalisation Section NE2A-Ground Floor
OR Tambo Building
460 Soutpansberg Road
Rietondale
Pretoria
Tel: (012) 351-1232 (Supervisor)
Tel: (012) 351-1269
Tel: (012) 351-0033
Tel: (012) 351-1490
Tel: (012) 351-1268
Tel: (012) 351-1231
Fax: (012) 329-1752
E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
How to access the service
- In person (Documents submitted personally can only be collected on proof of receipt);
- By courier (return service paid by the customer). The courier will be supplied with a collection slip. This slip will be needed for the collection of the documents;
- By registered or fast mail. Include a self-addressed, pre-paid (no cash will be accepted) A4 size envelope to allow the Legalisation Section to return the documents to the customer upon completion. Documents forwarded by mail must be accompanied by a covering letter, depicting the number of documents to be legalised, the country for which the legalisation is required as well as the full contact details of the sender;
- Via the South African Representative abroad (High Commission, Embassy or Consulate).
Processing times
1 to 5 documents received during public hours 30-45 minutesCost
More than 5 documents or documents received after 12:00 the following day
No fees are charged for the processing of documents.
Forms to be completed
No forms need to be completed. It is, however, important to always indicate in which country the document will be used.
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