Quick Answer
Queueing directly at DIRCO's Legalisation Section in Pretoria currently takes 8–12 weeks. DIRCO-registered service agents lodge through the agent channel and turn the same apostille around in about 1 week for R1,650 per document. Documents that can be notarised skip DIRCO entirely: the High Court apostille takes 2–3 working days (R1,650 per notarial bundle).
Your Three Routes, Compared
| Route | Turnaround | Cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| DIRCO direct (walk-in / postal queue) | 8–12 weeks | Free (DIRCO fee) | No deadline at all |
| DIRCO via registered service agent | ~1 week | R1,650 per document | Government-issued documents on a deadline |
| High Court apostille (notarised documents) | 2–3 working days | R1,650 per notarial bundle | Powers of attorney, affidavits, contracts, certified copies |
Why the Backlog Exists
Emigration-driven demand for document legalisation has grown faster than the capacity of DIRCO's Legalisation Section in Pretoria. The direct public queue — walk-in and postal submissions — has carried a standing backlog through 2025 and 2026, with turnaround commonly reported at 8 to 12 weeks. The queue moves; it is simply long.
How the Registered-Agent Channel Works
DIRCO maintains a channel for registered service agents who lodge documents in batches under an established agent profile. Easy Services Group is a DIRCO-registered service agent: we collect your document by courier, lodge it through the agent channel, and return the apostilled document in about a week — R1,650 per document, nationwide collection and return. The apostille certificate itself is identical; only the queue differs.
We apostille and legalise documents you already hold. We do not issue, supply, or obtain government documents.
Can You Skip DIRCO Entirely?
Often, yes. If your document is private — a power of attorney, affidavit, contract, sworn translation, or a certified copy — a Notary Public notarises it and the Registrar of the High Court attaches the apostille in 2–3 working days. Government-issued originals (birth, marriage and death certificates, police clearances) must go the DIRCO route; see DIRCO vs High Court apostille for which applies to your document.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a DIRCO apostille take in 2026?
8–12 weeks in the direct public queue; about 1 week via a DIRCO-registered service agent (R1,650 per document).
Is the agent-channel apostille the same certificate?
Yes — the same DIRCO apostille under the Hague Convention. Only the lodgement queue differs.
How can I get an apostille in 2–3 days?
If a Notary Public can notarise your document, the High Court route delivers an apostille in 2–3 working days at R1,650 per notarial bundle.
What does it cost?
R1,650 per document via the registered-agent channel, and R1,650 per notarial bundle at the High Court. Courier from R250. Get an exact quote on WhatsApp in minutes.