Where to get an apostille in South Africa: competent authority and Apostille Convention status

Source: HCCH, Convention 12 status table and competent authority pageRetrieved 5 November 2026Independent information site: we are not the Hague Conference, nor an apostille authority, nor the source of the data.

South Africa is a party to the Apostille Convention, in force since 30 April 1995 (accession). HCCH lists as competent authority, among others: Any magistrate or additional magistrate; Any registrar or assistant registrar of the Supreme Court of South Africa.

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Convention

Convention of 5 October 1961 Abolishing the Requirement of Legalisation for Foreign Public Documents (HCCH Convention No. 12)

Status

Contracting Party in the HCCH status table

Type

Accession (A)

Ratification, accession or succession, as printed

3-VIII-1994

Entry into force (EIF), as printed

30-IV-1995 (30 April 1995)

Competent authority (Art. 6), as printed by HCCH

Any magistrate or additional magistrate Any registrar or assistant registrar of the Supreme Court of South Africa Any person designated by the Director-General: Justice Director-General: International Relations and Cooperation

HCCH competent authority page

South Africa - Competent Authority (Art. 6) (page last updated 23 April 2026)

Region (UN M49)

Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa

Sources

HCCH status table, Convention 12, retrieved 5 November 2026; HCCH competent authorities of South Africa, retrieved 5 November 2026; UN M49 regions