High Court Apostille
6-8 Business Days
Processing
The Process
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Document Preparation
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Your document is notarised by a Notary Public (if required).
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The Notary’s signature and seal are verified against the High Court’s records.
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Submission to the High Court
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We lodge the document at the relevant division of the High Court.
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Apostille Issuance
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The High Court attaches the apostille certificate to your document, verifying its authenticity for use abroad.
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Collection & Delivery
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We collect the apostilled document and deliver it to you securely, locally or internationally.
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Processing Time
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Expected timeframe: 6–8 business days.
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With our assistance, we ensure correct preparation and efficient follow-up to minimise delays.
High Court Apostille
Certain South African documents cannot be apostilled through DIRCO (Department of International Relations and Cooperation) but instead require authentication through the High Court of South Africa. This process is used mainly for documents that have been notarised by a Notary Public or issued by officials whose signatures are registered with the High Court.
The High Court apostille confirms that the signature and seal on your document are genuine, making it legally valid for international use in countries that are members of the Hague Apostille Convention.
High Court authentication is usually required for:
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Notarised copies of passports, IDs, or driver’s licences
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Academic certificates and transcripts certified by a Notary Public
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Affidavits and contracts signed before a Notary Public
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Powers of Attorney and company documents certified by a Notary Public
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Other documents where the original issuer’s signature is not registered with DIRCO
We specialise in assisting clients with obtaining apostilles through the High Court. From document preparation to final collection, we handle the entire process on your behalf.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What is a High Court Apostille?
A High Court apostille is an authentication issued by a division of the South African High Court. It confirms that a Notary Public’s signature and seal on your document are valid, making the document legally acceptable abroad.
2. Which documents require a High Court Apostille?
Typically, documents that have been notarised by a Notary Public, such as:
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Certified copies of passports or IDs
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Academic qualifications and transcripts
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Affidavits and sworn statements
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Powers of Attorney
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Business contracts and company documents
3. How long does the process take?
High Court apostille processing usually takes 5–10 working days, depending on the workload at the specific High Court division.
4. What is the difference between DIRCO and High Court apostilles?
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DIRCO Apostille: For official documents issued by South African authorities (e.g., Home Affairs, SAPS).
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High Court Apostille: For documents notarised by a Notary Public or those requiring verification through the High Court.
5. Can I get an apostille if I’m outside South Africa?
Yes. You can courier your notarised documents to us, and we’ll handle the High Court process on your behalf.
6. What if the destination country is not part of the Hague Apostille Convention?
If the country is not a member, your documents will need full legalisation — this includes High Court authentication, DIRCO verification, and legalisation at the relevant embassy or consulate. We can guide you through the entire process.
7. Do apostilles expire?
The apostille itself does not expire, but the receiving institution may require a recently issued document (for example, an affidavit signed within the last 3 months).
