Legalisation of South African Documents for Use Abroad. Forecast Consulting is a DIRCO Registered Agency.
What Is DIRCO Legalisation?
DIRCO legalisation is the official process by which South African government issued or public documents are authenticated for use in foreign countries.
Some countries require documents to be legalised by DIRCO before they will accept them. This is common for:
- Birth, marriage and death certificates
- Home Affairs issued passports and identity documents
- Police clearance certificates
- Academic certificates and transcripts
- Letters of good standing or company documents
DIRCO legalisation establishes that the signature, stamp or seal on a document is genuine and that it was issued by a recognised South African authority.
Why Choose DIRCO for Legalisation
DIRCO legalisation is required when:
- The receiving country is a Hague Convention member and you need an Apostille
- The receiving country is not a Hague member and you need Authentication followed by embassy legalisation
We guide you on the correct route so you do not spend time and money on incorrect legalisation steps.
Documents Eligible for DIRCO Legalisation
You can use DIRCO legalisation for:
- Home Affairs documents
- Birth certificates
- Marriage certificates
- Death certificates
- Identity documents
- Police Clearance Certificates
- Educational documents
- Degrees
- Diplomas
- Transcripts
- Company & business certificates
- BEE certificates
- CIPC documents
- Letters of good standing
- Other public documents issued by South African authorities
If your document was issued by a South African government department, there is a strong likelihood DIRCO can legalise it.
DIRCO Legalisation vs High Court Apostille
Many people are unsure which route applies to them. Here is a simple comparison:
DIRCO Legalisation
Typically required for:
- Public documents issued by government departments
- Ideal for Home Affairs and Police Clearance
- Required for many Hague Convention countries
- Can be issued as a DIRCO Apostille for Hague members
- Also used for Authentication (non-Hague) before embassy legalisation
High Court Apostille
- Typically used for notarised private documents
- Faster turnaround for certain urgent cases
- Suitable when the High Court is specifically requested
When you send your documents to us, we confirm the correct pathway and costs before we proceed.
Apostille Your Home Affairs, Police Clearance Certificates & Other Documents Now.
EXTRA CONVENIENCE, EXTRA CARE
Why Choose Us
Benefit of Using an Admitted Attorney
As an admitted attorney, we bring legal authority, expertise, and precision to every matter, ensuring your documents are prepared, verified, and executed in full compliance with South African law.
- Legally recognised to certify and authenticate documents
- Comprehensive understanding of South African legal procedures
- Ability to provide legal advice where applicable
Travelling Notary within JHB
Our Notary and dedicated driver will come to you anywhere in Johannesburg or Pretoria, offering professional, reliable document services at your convenience – even after hours.
- Flexible scheduling to suit your availability
- Secure handling of sensitive legal documents
- Convenient on-site notarisation at your location
We Offer Online, Call-Out & In Person Options
Depending on your case we offer online solutions, as well as call-outs from our traveling notary service and in-person appointments.
We also offer after hours and weekend Notary options at an extra charge, which many of our clients make use of. A quote will be given for these extra services.
Save Up to 85% on Bulk Applications
Get your Home Affairs and Police Clearance Certificates processed quickly and cost-effectively. We assist with Apostille, Notary, and Legalisation services so your documents are accepted internationally without delays.
- Police Clearance & Criminal Record Checks
- Birth, Marriage & Death Certificates
- Apostille & Document Legalisation
Documents You Can Apostille
- Academic & Educational Documents
- Matric certificate (NSC / Senior Certificate)
- Degree or diploma certificate (university, college, TVET)
- Academic transcripts
- Letters of enrolment or graduation
- TEFL/TESOL Certificates
- Civil Status & Personal Records
- Birth certificate
- Death certificate
- Marriage certificate
- Divorce decree
- Unabridged birth or marriage certificates
- Single Status Affidavit / Certificate of No Impediment
- Identity & Certification Documents
- ID or passport copy (certified by a notary or Commissioner of Oaths)
- Proof of residence (notarised)
- Bank letters (notarised)
- Medical reports
- Letters from employers
- Legal & Court Documents
- Power of attorney
- Affidavits
- Notarised declarations
- Court orders or judgements
- Adoption orders
- Wills (if notarised)
- Police & Clearance Documents
- Police clearance certificate (SAPOL)
- Business & Corporate Documents
- Company registration documents (CIPC)
- Memorandum of Incorporation (MOI)
- Board resolutions
- Tax clearance certificates (SARS)
- BEE certificates
- Invoices or contracts (notarised)
- Import/export certificates (from SARS or NRCS)
- Travel & International Use Documents
- Parental consent affidavit for minor travel
How the DIRCO Process Works
1. Send Us Scans
Email or WhatsApp clear scans of your document along with the destination country.
We confirm:
- Whether DIRCO is the correct legalisation route
- Associated costs and timeframes
- Any additional requirements
2. Prepare Your Documents
Depending on the document type:
- Some need to be notarised before DIRCO
- Some are lodged as originals
We review your documents and advise what is needed.
3. Lodge with DIRCO
We personally submit your documents to DIRCO in Pretoria on your behalf.
At this stage, DIRCO will verify the authenticity of signatures, stamps and seals.
4. Collection or Courier
Once DIRCO legalises the documents:
- We scan and send you the digital copies
- Original legalised documents can be:
- Collected from our office
- Sent to you by courier
Where DIRCO Legalisation Is Accepted
DIRCO legalised documents are widely accepted in:
Hague Convention countries (with Apostille)
Non-Hague countries (with Authentication, followed by embassy legalisation)
We verify the exact legalisation route required whenever you provide your destination country.
FORECAST CONSULTING
Pricing & Timeframes
| Service | Price | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Notarial Certification | R180 | Same Day |
| Notarial Attestation | R850 | Same Day |
| Notarial Certificate | R1,200 | Same Day |
| High Court: Notary + Apostille | R850 | 1–3 Work Days |
| High Court: Notary + Authentication | R850 | 1–3 Work Days |
| Same Day High Court: Notary + Authentication | R1,800 | Same Day |
| Express DIRCO Apostille | R950 | 1–2 Weeks |
| Express DIRCO Authentication | R950 | 1–2 Weeks |
| Courier Local | R250 | 2-4 Work Days |
| Courier International (DHL) | R1500 | 3–8 Working Days |
| Service | Price | Time |
|---|---|---|
| DHA: Unabridged Birth Certificate (UBC) | R2,800 | 14-21 Days |
| DHA: Marriage Certificate (Spouse Deceased) | R2,800 | 14-21 Days |
| DHA: Unabridged Death Certificate (UDC) | R2,800 | 14-21 Days |
| DHA: Unabridged Certificates (no records) | R3,800 | 21-30 Days |
| DHA: Abridged BC/DC/MC | R1,800 | 7 Days |
| DHA: Stnd Letter of Non-impediment (LNI) | R2,850 | 14-21 Days |
| DHA: Express Letter of Non-impediment (LNI) | R4,500 | 7-10 Days |
| DHA: Vault (UMC / UBC) | R3,800 | |
| Police Clearance Cert Budget | R1,500 | 2 - 3 Weeks |
| Police Clearance Certificate | R2,800 | 12 - 20 Working Days |
| Police Clearance Cert Express | R3,800 | 4-8 Days |
| Police Clearance Cert Urgent | R5,000 | 3-5 Days |
| SAQA | R2,500 | 3-4 Weeks |
| UMALUSI | R1,500 | 1 Week |
| Service | Price | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Ante-Nuptial Contract | R2,800 | 1 Week |
| ANC - By Power of Attorney | R3,500 | 1 Week |
| ANC - Urgent/Expedited | R4,500 | 1-2 Working Days |
| Cohabitation Agreement | R2,500 | 1 Week |
| Life Partnership Agreement | R2,500 | 1 Week |
| Express Life Partnership Agreement | R4,500 | 1-2 Days |
| Registration of Foreign Marriage | R4,500 | 3-6 Weeks |
| Registration of Foreign Divorce | R4,500 | 3-6 Weeks |
| Divorce Decree <10 years | R750 | 2 Weeks+ |
| Divorce Decree >10 years | R1,200 | 1 Month+ |
| Registration of Foreign Death | R4,500 | 3-6 Weeks |
| Will | R1,500 | 1 Week |
Apostille & Legalisation Experts
- Fast Apostille & Authentication in South Africa
- Police Clearance & Unabridged Certificates
- Notary Public – Affidavits, POAs & Contracts
- Pickup & Delivery in Johannesburg
Why Choose Us?
✔ Trusted & Reliable
✔ Secure Handling of Documents
✔ Swift Turnaround Times
DIRCO
Frequently Asked Questions
Do all documents require DIRCO legalisation?
No. Some countries or institutions accept Home Affairs or Embassy legalisation without DIRCO. We check this for you.
Can you submit documents on my behalf?
Yes. We handle DIRCO lodgement for you. Originals must be provided.
Do I need to notarise before DIRCO?
Some documents must be notarised first. We confirm this when you send scans.
Can you courier documents for me?
Yes. We can collect and courier, with tracking.