Apostille & Legalisation
What Is a Certificate of Authentication?
A Certificate of Authentication is used when a South African public document is destined for a country that is not covered by the Hague Apostille Convention.
Frequently Asked Questions
When do I need a Certificate of Authentication?
When the destination country does not use the Apostille Convention route.
Is authentication different from an apostille?
Yes. DIRCO uses an Apostille Certificate for applicable convention countries and a Certificate of Authentication for non-convention countries.
Who decides which one I need?
The destination country determines the applicable route, and you must tell DIRCO where the document will be used.
Source: DIRCO – Legalisation Services