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Embassy Attestation for South African Documents

The right stamps, in the right order, for countries that do not accept an apostille.

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If you are taking a job, joining family or setting up a business in a country outside the Hague Apostille Convention, your South African documents often need more than one stage of legalisation before they will be accepted. We work out the exact route, coordinate the South African stages and keep your documents moving.

What is embassy attestation?

Embassy attestation (also called consular legalisation) is the final verification step for a document going to a country that does not accept an apostille. The destination country's embassy or consulate confirms the previous official stamp, so its own authorities will recognise your document.

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For most South African documents the route looks like this:

  1. Issue or preparation: the document is issued by the correct South African authority (Home Affairs, SAPS, a court), or notarised, or verified (for example, a qualification).

  2. DIRCO authentication: DIRCO issues a Certificate of Authentication (not an apostille) for non-Hague destinations.

  3. Embassy or consulate attestation: the destination country's embassy confirms the DIRCO stamp.

  4. Further steps in the destination country: some countries require a final step, such as a Ministry of Foreign Affairs stamp on arrival. The receiving employer, university or authority will tell you.

 

 

Requirements differ by country and by document type, and they change. That is why we confirm the current route before you commit to anything.

Countries we commonly handle

  • United Arab Emirates (UAE)

  • Qatar

  • Kuwait

  • Saudi Arabia

  • Thailand

  • Vietnam

  • Taiwan

  • Ethiopia

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Not on the list? Ask us. We handle other destinations on request.

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Is your country a Hague member? If yes, you most likely need an apostille, not an embassy attestation. See our DIRCO Apostille page. Several countries have joined the Convention in recent years, so check the current status before you start.

Documents we attest

  • Unabridged birth and marriage certificates

  • Letters of No Impediment

  • SAPS Police Clearance Certificates

  • Degrees, diplomas and academic transcripts (after verification)

  • Powers of attorney and affidavits

  • Company and commercial documents

  • Medical and health certificates

 

Why use GetCleared?

  • We start with the destination. We confirm exactly what that country requires for your document, so you do not pay for stamps you do not need.

  • One team for every South African stage. Document sourcing, DIRCO authentication and embassy submission are coordinated through us.

  • Hand-submission and daily follow-up in Pretoria, where DIRCO and the embassies are.

  • Clear scope and price before you pay. No surprises after the work starts.

  • Delivery worldwide. Scan by email, original by DHL Express.​

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How our embassy attestation service works

  1. Tell us your document, your destination and your deadline. We confirm the route and any extra requirements.

  2. We check your documents. Before anything is submitted, we make sure the document is valid, correctly issued and suitable for that country.

  3. We coordinate each stage. DIRCO authentication, then embassy attestation, with each step handled and followed up.

  4. Delivery. Your attested documents are couriered by DHL Express, with a scan by email.

  5. Any final steps at the destination. We tell you at the outset what, if anything, remains for you to do on arri

Timelines and pricing

Timelines depend on the country and the document, and embassies set their own processing times and opening days. We give you a document-specific estimate after reviewing your request.

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DIRCO AUTHENTICATION PRICE: R3000

EMBASSY ATTESTATION PRICE: TBA

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