Need your birth certificate for emigration, visa applications, overseas marriage, or foreign citizenship? South African birth certificates must be apostilled or authenticated before foreign authorities will accept them. We obtain replacement certificates and handle the complete legalisation process.📞 087 001 0733 | ✉️ info@apostille.co.za [Get a Quote →]
Since September 2024, DIRCO no longer accepts certified copies of birth certificates for apostille. You need the original unabridged certificate issued by Home Affairs.
What's the difference?
| Unabridged | Abridged |
|---|---|
| Shows both parents' full details | Shows limited information |
| Required for international use | Not accepted for apostille |
| Currently issued by Home Affairs | No longer issued |
| Can be apostilled | Cannot be apostilled |
If you have an old abridged certificate or only a certified copy, you'll need to obtain a new unabridged birth certificate before it can be apostilled. Don't have your unabridged birth certificate? We can obtain one from Home Affairs on your behalf.
Emigration & Visa Applications
Most countries require an apostilled birth certificate as proof of identity and nationality when applying for residency or citizenship.
Child Travel Requirements
Since 2015, minors travelling internationally to/from South Africa must carry an unabridged birth certificate. Some destinations require it to be apostilled.
Overseas Marriage
Foreign authorities often require apostilled birth certificates alongside letters of no impediment when registering marriages.
Foreign Citizenship Applications
Claiming citizenship by descent typically requires apostilled birth certificates proving family relationships.
Dependent Visa Sponsorship
Sponsoring family members for visas abroad often requires apostilled birth certificates to prove the relationship.
School Enrolment Abroad
Some international schools require apostilled birth certificates for student registration.
Original unabridged birth certificate
↓
DIRCO Apostille
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Ready for useCountries: UK, Germany, Australia, Netherlands, USA, most of Europe, and 120+ others.
Original unabridged birth certificate
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DIRCO Authentication
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Embassy Attestation
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Ready for useCountries: UAE, Qatar, Egypt, Vietnam, Thailand, and others.
Important: You must send us the original certificate—not a copy. The apostille is attached directly to the original document.
Lost your birth certificate? Never had an unabridged version? We obtain replacement certificates from the Department of Home Affairs on your behalf.
Home Affairs doesn't store all birth records digitally. To issue an unabridged certificate, they must:
This process takes time, and occasionally errors occur during typing, requiring a reissue.
✅ Copy of your ID document – Clear PDF scan
✅ Copy of your abridged birth certificate– Clear PDF scan
✅ Completed DHA-154 form – Filled in with black ink and scanned
✅ Parents' ID copies – Clear PDF scan
| Service | Time | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | 14 - 21 working days | R4,000 |
| Priority | 7 - 15 working days | R5,000 |
Times are estimates and depend on Home Affairs record accessibility.
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| DIRCO Apostille only | R0 |
| DIRCO Apostille Service fee | R1000 |
| DIRCO + Embassy attestation | From R1,500 |
If you have your unabridged birth certificate:
If you need us to obtain a replacement:
Document condition:
Certificate Validity
Birth certificates don't expire. However, some countries require certificates issued within a specific period:
Check your destination's specific requirements—we can advise.
Apostille Validity
The apostille itself doesn't expire. However, if the destination country requires a recently-issued certificate, you may need to obtain a new one even if your current certificate was previously apostilled.
Start Early
If you need to obtain a replacement certificate AND have it apostilled, allow at least 4-6 weeks. For non-Hague countries requiring embassy attestation, allow 6-8 weeks.
Since June 2015, all children under 18 travelling to or from South Africa must have an unabridged birth certificate. This law was introduced to combat child trafficking.
What's required:
| Situation | Documents Needed |
|---|---|
| Child travelling with both parents | Unabridged birth certificate |
| Child travelling with one parent | Unabridged birth certificate + Consent affidavit from absent parent + Absent parent's ID copy |
| Child travelling with someone else | Unabridged birth certificate + Consent affidavits from both parents + Parents' ID copies + Letter from the person the child is travelling to |
Does it need to be apostilled?
For South African border control, the original unabridged certificate is sufficient. However, the destination country may require an apostilled version. Check with the embassy or airline.
Some countries accept a notarised copy of a birth certificate instead of the original. This follows a different route:
Original birth certificate
↓
Notarised copy by Notary Public
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High Court Apostille
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Ready for use (Hague countries)Advantages:
Disadvantages:
Check first: Confirm with the receiving authority whether they accept notarised copies before choosing this route.
Can I apostille a certified copy of my birth certificate?
No. Since September 2024, DIRCO only accepts original unabridged birth certificates—not certified copies.
My birth certificate is laminated. Can it be apostilled?
No. Laminated documents are rejected. You'll need to obtain a replacement certificate from Home Affairs.
I only have an abridged birth certificate. What do I do?
You'll need to apply for an unabridged birth certificate. We can do this on your behalf.
How long does it take to get a replacement birth certificate?
Standard processing: 14-21 working days. Priority: 7-15 working days. Times depend on how accessible your records are in Home Affairs archives.
Do I get my original certificate back after the apostille?
Yes. The apostille is attached to your original certificate, and both are returned to you.
Can you help if I'm overseas?
Yes. Please email us the required documents, and we will handle everything in South Africa. We courier the apostilled certificate to you internationally.
What if there's an error on my birth certificate?
Home Affairs occasionally makes typing errors when issuing certificates. If we spot an error, we'll correct it before proceeding to apostille, avoiding rejection.
Do both parents need to be named on the certificate?
For most international purposes, yes. If a parent is not named, this may cause issues with some visa applications. Contact us to discuss your specific situation.
Whether you already have your unabridged birth certificate or need us to obtain one, we handle the complete process—from Home Affairs to DIRCO to embassy attestation. [Get a Quote →]
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