Footprints Recruiting

Apostilles in South Africa

An Apostille legalises official public documents executed within South Africa for use outside the Republic of South Africa by means of an Apostille Certificate or a Certificate of Authentication. 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);"

http://www.dfa.gov.za/consular/legalisation.htm

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 Foreign Affairs to get the Apostille Authentication of your Police Background Check.

South African Police Service:

To obtain a Police Clearance Certificate:
Contact the Criminal Record Centre of the SAPS
Tel: (012) 393 3709
Fax: (012) 393 3909

Note that Police Clearance Certificates must be no older than 6 months old.

If you would like to proceed further with your inquiry regarding Apostille Authentication, please contact their office directly. If you get any more information please update our webmaster at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

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 Foreign Affairs
Private Bag X152
Pretoria
0001

Physical Address

Legalisation Section, Eikendal Building
Tulbagh Park
1234 Church Street (Entrance in Duncan Street)
Colbyn
Pretoria
Tel: (012) 351 1268/9
Tel: (012) 351 1273
Fax: (012) 342 9322
Fax: (012) 351 1916
E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

How to access the service

1. In person (Documents submitted personally can only be collected on proof of receipt);
2. 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;
3. 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;
4. Via the South African Representative abroad (High Commission, Embassy or Consulate).

Processing times

1 to 5 documents received during public hours 30-45 minutes
More than 5 documents or documents received after 12:00 the following day

At present there are no costs associated with Apostille Authentication.

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