DIRCO Attestation Services (South Africa)
DIRCO attestation authenticates South African documents for use in other countries. The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) issues either an apostille or a certificate of authentication, depending on the country where the document will be used.
Police Clear prepares your documents, coordinates the DIRCO submission and follows it through. Quoted on request. DIRCO does not charge for legalisation.
- Description
Description
Police Clear (Pty) Ltd is an independent document facilitation company. We do not attest documents. Attestation is performed by DIRCO or other authorised bodies.
What is DIRCO attestation?
It is the official authentication of a South African document by DIRCO so that it is accepted abroad.
- If the destination country is party to the Hague Apostille Convention, DIRCO issues an apostille
- If it is not, DIRCO issues a certificate of authentication, and the destination country’s embassy may also need to legalise the document
DIRCO determines which applies once it is told the country of use.
Documents commonly attested
- Police clearance certificates
- Birth and marriage certificates
- Verification letters for academic qualifications
- Legal and corporate documents, after High Court authentication
Police clearance certificates must be recent. DIRCO requires an original police clearance certificate to be no older than 6 months when submitted.
What we handle
- Preparing documents for attestation
- Checking supporting documentation
- Coordinating submission for DIRCO processing
- Guidance on the certification steps required
- Follow-up on the process
What you need to start
- The original documents
- Your ID or passport
- The country where the documents will be used
How long does DIRCO attestation take?
Timeframes depend on the document type and DIRCO’s workload. Contact us for a current timeframe. Timeframes are estimates, not guarantees.
DIRCO attestation cost
| DIRCO attestation assistance | Quoted on request |
| DIRCO legalisation fee | None |
| Turnaround | Confirmed on request |
Pricing correct as at 16 September 2026. Prices include VAT at 15%, are quoted in South African rand, are subject to change without notice, and are indicative rather than an offer. A binding price is given in a written quotation. Any statutory fees charged by SAPS, Home Affairs or another authority are set by that authority and are payable in addition unless your quotation says otherwise. DIRCO does not charge for legalisation. Timeframes are estimates, not guarantees. Our refund and cancellation terms are in our terms and conditions.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between attestation and an apostille?
Both authenticate a South African document for use abroad. An apostille is used for Hague Apostille Convention countries. A certificate of authentication is used for other countries, and may be followed by embassy legalisation.
How old can a police clearance certificate be for DIRCO?
DIRCO requires the original certificate to be no older than 6 months.
Which countries need attestation instead of an apostille?
Countries that are not party to the Hague Apostille Convention. Tell us the destination country and we will tell you which applies.
This page describes a document facilitation service. It is general information and is not legal or immigration advice. Requirements and timeframes are set by the relevant department, institution or authority, and change from time to time. Confirm them with that body before you rely on them.
