For documents that need notarisation—powers of attorney, affidavits, contracts and certified copies—we provide a complete service from notarisation through to High Court apostille.
📞 087 001 0733 ✉️ info@apostille.co.za Quotation
The High Court apostille route is for private documents that require notarisation before they can be authenticated for international use. High Court Route (This Page)
DIRCO Route (See DIRCO Apostille →)
The key difference: Government-issued documents go directly to DIRCO. Private documents must first be notarised by a Notary Public, then apostilled at the High Court.
Step 1: Notarisation
A Notary Public (an attorney with special registration at the High Court) witnesses your signature or certifies a copy of your document. The notary attaches a notarial certificate confirming the document's authenticity.
Step 2: High Court Apostille
The notarised document is submitted to the High Court. The Registrar verifies that the Notary Public is duly admitted and attaches an apostille certificate authenticating the notary's signature.
Step 3: Ready for Use
For Hague Convention countries, your document is now ready. For non-Hague countries, additional embassy attestation may be required. Timeline: 1-2 working days (Notarisation + High Court)
We handle everything.
What We Provide:
Our Process:
Powers of Attorney
Affidavits and Declarations
Certified Copies
Consent Documents
Contracts and Agreements
Company Documents
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| High Court Apostille | R850 |
| Combined total | R850 |
Additional services:
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Document drafting (POA, affidavit) | From R500 |
| Notarised copies (per page) | R180 |
| Local courier | R250-R350 |
| International courier | R700-R950 |
Volume pricing available for multiple documents.[Get a Detailed Quote →]
You Must Sign in Person (Usually)
For powers of attorney and affidavits, you generally need to sign in the presence of the Notary Public. This is a legal requirement—the notary must verify your identity and witness your signature.
Options for Clients Outside Pretoria:
Identity Requirements:
Bring your original South African ID or Passport. The notary must verify your identity before notarising.
Original vs Copy:
| Aspect | High Court | DIRCO |
|---|---|---|
| Document type | Notarised/private documents | Government-issued documents |
| Examples | Powers of attorney, affidavits, contracts | Birth certificates, police clearance |
| Process | Notarise → High Court | Direct to DIRCO |
| Processing time | 1-2 working days | Agent to confirm current timelines |
| Location | Any High Court in SA | DIRCO Pretoria only |
Common mistake: Some people try to get government documents (like birth certificates) notarised and apostilled at the High Court instead of going to DIRCO. This is incorrect, and most foreign authorities will reject these documents.
Rule of thumb:
If your destination country is not a member of the Hague Convention (e.g., UAE, Vietnam, Qatar), you need additional steps after the High Court Authentications:
We handle the complete chain for non-Hague countries. Learn about Embassy Attestation →
How quickly can you apostille my document?
Same-day notarisation is usually possible if you come to our office befor 8h30 am. High Court attendance is typically the next business day. Total turnaround: 1-2 working days.
Do I need to come to Pretoria?
For documents requiring your signature (POAs, affidavits), you generally need to sign before the Notary Public in person. For certified copies of documents you already have, you can courier the originals to us.
Can you draft my power of attorney?
Yes. Tell us what authority you want to grant and to whom, and we'll draft it. We then notarise your signature when you attend our office.
What's the difference between notarisation and apostille?
Notarisation is when a Notary Public witnesses your signature and attests to the authenticity of the document. The apostille is the second step, in which the High Court confirms the Notary Public's credentials. Both are needed for international use.
Can I get a certified copy of my degree apostilled at the High Court?
It depends on the destination country's requirements. Some accept notarised copies via the High Court, others require the original to go through SAQA verification and DIRCO. We'll advise based on your specific situation.
Is a High Court apostille accepted in all countries?
High Court apostilles are accepted in all 129 Hague Convention member countries. For non-member countries, additional embassy attestation is required.
In-house Notary Public. High Court attendance daily. 1-2 day turnaround.[Get Your Quote →]Contact us:
Walk-ins welcome for notarisation (call ahead for complex matters)
