What is an Apostille?
An additional authentication in the form of a seal,
stamp or ribbon attached to birth certificates,
marriage certificates, death certificates, diplomas, degrees,
divorce certificates, affidavits, and powers of attorney.
The apostille is required by international authorities.
How can I get an Apostille?
I arrange apostille authentications from
The Department of International Cooperation
Costs are R750 for 1st document
R700 per document for 2 or more.
How long does this take?
4 weeks (as of March 2025)
Ask me about a 1 WEEK service:
WhatsApp APOS to 078 173 3998
An apostille is a form of authentication stamp that confirms the authenticity of a document’s signature, seal, or stamp. It is typically used for legal documents that will be used in countries that are part of the Hague Convention, an international treaty that simplifies the process of authenticating documents for use in other countries. An apostille is typically issued by the government agency or official responsible for certifying documents in the country where the document originated. Once a document has an apostille, it can typically be used in any of the other countries that are part of the Hague Convention without the need for further authentication.
Difference between an Apostille and an authenticated document?
An apostille is a form of certification that is used for legal documents that will be used in countries that are part of the Hague Convention. Once a document has an apostille, it can typically be used in any of the other countries that are part of the Hague Convention without the need for further authentication.
An authentication, on the other hand, is a more general term that can refer to any process of verifying the authenticity of a document. This may include certifying the signature, seal, or stamp on a document, as well as verifying that the document itself is genuine. Authentications are often required for legal documents that will be used in countries that are not part of the Hague Convention. Unlike an apostille, an authentication may require additional steps such as notarization, legalization, or certification by a consular official.
In summary, an apostille is a specific type of certification that is used for legal documents that will be used in countries that are part of the Hague Convention. An authentication is a more general term that can refer to any process of verifying the authenticity of a document and it is typically required for legal documents that will be used in countries that are not part of the Hague Convention.
There are over 120 countries that are part of the Hague Convention. Some examples include:
- United States
- Canada
- Mexico
- Brazil
- Argentina
- United Kingdom
- France
- Germany
- Spain
- Italy
- Australia
- New Zealand
- Japan
- South Korea
- South Africa
- India
- China
This list is not exhaustive, and it’s important to note that some countries that are not part of the Hague Convention may still accept documents that have been authenticated with an apostille. However, it’s always best to check with the country in question to confirm their specific requirements.