Relocating abroad with your spouse? Applying for a dependent visa? Dealing with overseas assets? Your South African marriage certificate must be apostilled or authenticated before foreign authorities will accept it. 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 marriage certificates for apostille. You need the original, unabridged certificate issued by Home Affairs.
What's the difference?
| Unabridged | Abridged |
|---|---|
| Full details of both spouses | Limited information |
| Parents' details included | No parent information |
| Required for international use | Not accepted for apostille |
| Must be applied for specifically | Issued automatically after the wedding |
| Can be apostilled | Cannot be apostilled |
Important: Newer unabridged certificates no longer have the word "UNABRIDGED" printed on them—they simply state "MARRIAGE CERTIFICATE" but contain the full details that distinguish them from abridged versions.
Don't have your unabridged marriage certificate?
We can obtain one from Home Affairs on your behalf.
Spouse/Dependent Visa Applications
When one partner has a job offer abroad, the accompanying spouse typically needs an apostilled marriage certificate for their dependent visa.
Emigration & Residency
Most countries require proof of marriage when couples apply for permanent residency or citizenship together.
Foreign Property Purchases
Buying property abroad as a married couple often requires apostilled marriage certificates for registration.
Name Change Verification
If you changed your surname after marriage, foreign authorities may need the apostilled certificate as proof.
Overseas Pension or Insurance Claims
Claiming spousal benefits from foreign institutions typically requires apostilled marriage documentation.
Estate Matters
When a deceased person held assets overseas, the surviving spouse may need an apostilled marriage certificate to claim inheritance or transfer property.
Previously Divorced?
Some authorities require apostilled marriage certificates from previous marriages, along with divorce decrees, to establish your full marital history.
Original unabridged marriage certificate
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DIRCO Apostille
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Ready for useCountries: UK, Germany, Australia, Netherlands, USA, most of Europe, and 120+ others.
Original unabridged marriage certificate
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DIRCO Authentication
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Embassy Attestation
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Ready for useCountries: UAE, China, Qatar, Vietnam, Thailand, and others.Important: You must send us the original certificate—not a copy. The apostille is attached directly to the original document.
We obtain replacement unabridged marriage certificates from Home Affairs on your behalf.
Home Affairs has not fully digitised marriage records. To issue an unabridged certificate, they must locate your original marriage register in their archives. This can be difficult without supporting documentation.
Your DHA-30 (or BI-30) marriage register is the form you signed on your wedding day—usually with two photos and fingerprints on the right side. Having this document significantly speeds up the process.Don't have your DHA-30? We can still assist, but processing may take longer as Home Affairs searches their archives.
✅ Your ID document – Clear PDF scan✅ Spouse's ID document – Clear PDF scan✅ DHA-30 marriage register – If available (greatly helps processing)✅ Completed DHA-130 form – Filled in with black ink and scanned[Download DHA-130 Form →]
| Service | Time | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Standard (with DHA-30) | 4-6 weeks | R3,500 |
| Standard (without DHA-30) | 6-10 weeks | R4,000 |
| Priority | 2-4 weeks | R5,500 |
Times are estimates and depend on Home Affairs record accessibility.
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| DIRCO Apostille only | R850 |
| DIRCO + Embassy attestation | From R1,700 |
| Package | Time | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Standard: Obtain + Apostille | 5-7 weeks | R4,350 |
| Priority: Obtain + Apostille | 3-5 weeks | R6,350 |
| Full legalisation (incl. embassy) | 6-8 weeks | From R6,000 |
Courier fees additional if required.[Get a Quote →]
If one spouse is a foreign national, the process for obtaining an unabridged marriage certificate remains the same: the marriage is registered in South Africa, and Home Affairs issues the certificate.
If you married outside South Africa, your marriage certificate must be apostilled or authenticated in the country where the marriage took place—not South Africa. We cannot apostille foreign marriage certificates. However, if you registered your foreign marriage with South African Home Affairs, that registration document can be apostilled here.
Some foreign authorities require documentation of previous marriages. We can obtain:
Both documents can be apostilled for international use.
When dealing with a deceased spouse's overseas assets, you may need:
We handle complete estate document packages.
If you have your unabridged marriage certificate:
If you need us to obtain a replacement:
Document condition:
Certificate Validity
Marriage 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.
Start Early
If you need to obtain a replacement certificate AND have it apostilled, allow at least 6-8 weeks. For non-Hague countries requiring embassy attestation, allow 8-10 weeks.
When both spouses are emigrating or applying for visas, you typically need:
| Document | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Marriage certificate | 1 (covers both spouses) |
| Police clearance | 1 per person |
| Birth certificate | 1 per person |
| Academic qualifications | As required per person |
Package deals: We offer discounted rates for couples needing multiple documents apostilled. Contact us for a combined quote.
Can I apostille a certified copy of my marriage certificate?
No. Since September 2024, DIRCO only accepts original unabridged marriage certificates—not certified copies.
My marriage 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 marriage certificate. What do I do?
You'll need to apply for an unabridged marriage certificate. We can do this on your behalf.
How do I know if my certificate is unabridged?
Unabridged certificates contain full details of both spouses, including parents' information. Newer certificates may not say "unabridged" but will have comprehensive details. Send us a scan, and we'll confirm.
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 I've lost my DHA-30 marriage register?
We can still obtain your unabridged certificate, but it may take longer as Home Affairs must search their archives without this reference document.
Can I get a marriage certificate for a marriage that ended in divorce?
Yes. Home Affairs can issue certificates for previous marriages. This is sometimes required by foreign authorities to establish marital history.
My spouse and I have different surnames on the certificate—is that a problem?
No. The certificate reflects the names as they were at the time of marriage. If a name change occurred after marriage, you may need additional documentation (such as an ID showing the new name) for certain purposes.
Whether you already have your unabridged certificate or need us to obtain one, we handle the complete process—from Home Affairs to DIRCO to embassy attestation.[Get a Quote →]Contact us:
