Apostille & Legalisation
Certified Copies Are Not the Same as Originals for DIRCO
DIRCO does not authenticate certified copies of several categories of public documents, including birth, marriage, death and police clearance certificates.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I apostille a certified copy of my birth certificate?
DIRCO states that certified copies of birth certificates are not accepted for authentication.
Can a certified copy of a Police Clearance Certificate be authenticated?
DIRCO states that certified copies of Police Clearance Certificates are not accepted.
Why does DIRCO require originals for these documents?
The legalisation process verifies the official document and its issuing signature or stamp.
Source: DIRCO – Legalisation Services