Last Updated: January 2026
1. Introduction and Legal Status
1.1. apostille.co.za ("the Company," "we," "us," or "our") is a privately owned company providing document procurement and legalisation facilitation services.
1.2. Non-Governmental Status: You explicitly acknowledge that apostille.co.za is not a government department, not the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO), not a High Court, and not an Embassy/Consulate. We act as an independent agent to facilitate services provided by these entities.
1.3. By using our website and services, you agree to these Terms of Service and our Privacy Policy (POPIA compliance).
2. Services Provided
2.1. We assist clients with the process of obtaining Apostilles, Authentications, and Legalisations for South African documents.
2.2. Our service includes advice, document couriering, queueing at government departments, and administrative follow-ups.
2.3. No Guarantee of Outcome: While we use our best efforts, the final decision to issue an Apostille or legalisation rests solely with the relevant government authority (e.g., DIRCO or the High Court). We cannot be held liable for a government department’s refusal to legalise a document.
3. Client Obligations
3.1. Authenticity: The client warrants that all documents provided to us are authentic and legally obtained.
3.2. Accuracy: The client is responsible for ensuring that the documents provided are the correct versions required by the destination country.
3.3. Timely Information: The client must provide all necessary information and original documents required to perform the service.
4. Fees and Payment
4.1. Service Fees: Our fees are for the facilitation and administration of the process. They do not include government disbursements unless specifically stated.
4.2. Non-Refundability: Once a document has been submitted to a government department or the process has commenced, our service fees are non-refundable, regardless of the timeline or outcome from the government entity.
4.3. Price Changes: We reserve the right to adjust pricing if government departments increase their statutory fees or if the scope of work changes.
5. Timelines and Delays
5.1. Estimates Only: Any turnaround times quoted are estimates only.
5.2. Third-Party Delays: We are not responsible for delays caused by government backlogs, industrial action, system failures at DIRCO/Home Affairs, or courier losses by third-party providers.
6. Limitation of Liability
6.1. Document Loss: In the unlikely event that a document is lost while in our possession, our liability is limited to the cost of replacing the physical document (e.g., re-applying for a certificate). We are not liable for consequential losses such as missed flights or expired visas.
6.2. Indemnity: You indemnify apostille.co.za against any claims arising from the use of documents we have facilitated for you.
7. Privacy and Data Protection (POPIA)
7.1. We process your personal information and sensitive documents (Identity Documents, Birth Certificates, etc.) in strict accordance with the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA).
7.2. You consent to us sharing your documents with necessary third parties (DIRCO, Notaries, Couriers) solely for the purpose of fulfilling your request.
8. Cancellation Policy
8.1. You may cancel your order at any time before we have physically submitted the documents to a third party or government department. A reasonable administrative fee for work already performed will be deducted from any refund.
9. Jurisdiction
9.1. These terms are governed by the laws of the Republic of South Africa. Any disputes shall be subject to the jurisdiction of the South African courts.
Contact Information
For any queries regarding these terms, please contact:
Email: info@apostille.co.za
WhatsApp: +27 78 220 0000
Pretoria Office: 2nd Floor, Northern Pavilion, Office 5, Loftus Versveld, 416 Kirkness St, Arcadia, Pretoria, 0007
