General International Documents
Not Every South African Document Is a Public Document
DIRCO distinguishes official public documents from private documents that may need notarisation before international legalisation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a private contract a public document?
No. A private contract can require a notarial and High Court route.
Can private documents be legalised?
Yes, when they are properly notarised and follow the applicable legalisation process.
Why does classification matter?
It determines which authority must authenticate the document first.
Source: DIRCO – Legalisation Services