Overview
A birth certificate apostille is required when using your South African birth certificate in any of the 125+ countries that are members of the Hague Apostille Convention. Common reasons include immigration applications, citizenship by descent claims, marriage abroad, and visa applications.
Quick Facts
- Apostille Type: DIRCO (government document)
- Processing Time: 1-2 weeks
- Document Required: Original unabridged birth certificate
- Issuing Authority: Department of Home Affairs
Types of Birth Certificates
South Africa issues two types of birth certificates:
Unabridged Birth Certificate
This is the full version that includes both parents' details. This is almost always the version required for international use and apostille authentication. If you have an old abridged certificate, you'll need to apply for an unabridged version from Home Affairs.
Abridged Birth Certificate
The shorter version that only shows one parent. This is generally not accepted for international purposes. We recommend always obtaining the unabridged version.
The Process
Obtain Unabridged Birth Certificate
If you don't have an unabridged birth certificate, apply at Home Affairs. Processing takes 2-8 weeks. We can assist with this application.
Document Verification
We verify your certificate is the correct format and suitable for apostille. Some older certificates may need to be re-issued.
DIRCO Submission
Your original birth certificate is submitted to DIRCO in Pretoria for apostille authentication.
Collection & Delivery
Once apostilled, we collect your document and deliver it to you via courier or collection.
Common Uses
- Immigration applications - Required for visa and residency applications in most countries
- Citizenship by descent - Proving parentage for citizenship claims
- Marriage abroad - Many countries require apostilled birth certificates
- Adoption - International adoption processes
- University applications - Some overseas universities require proof of identity
- Pension claims - Proving identity for overseas pension applications
Important Notes
Original Document Required
DIRCO requires your original unabridged birth certificate. The apostille is attached directly to this document. If you need to keep your original, consider obtaining multiple originals from Home Affairs before apostille.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to apostille a birth certificate?
DIRCO apostille processing takes 1-2 weeks. If you need to obtain an unabridged birth certificate from Home Affairs first, add 2-8 weeks for that process.
Do I need the original birth certificate?
Yes, DIRCO requires the original unabridged birth certificate. The apostille stamp is attached directly to your original document. We recommend obtaining multiple originals if you need to keep one.
Can I apostille an old birth certificate?
Generally yes, but some very old certificates may need to be re-issued. If your certificate is damaged or in an old format, we recommend applying for a new unabridged certificate from Home Affairs first.
What if I only have an abridged certificate?
You'll need to apply for an unabridged birth certificate from Home Affairs. The abridged version is typically not accepted for international use. We can assist with the Home Affairs application.
Do you offer nationwide service?
Yes! While we're based in Johannesburg, we serve clients throughout South Africa. You can courier your documents to us, and we'll handle the entire process and courier the apostilled documents back to you.