DIRCO Authentication

Need a Certificate of Authentication from South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperations (DIRCO) for a visa, residency, employment or immigration application? Road2Asia handles the full process end-to-end so you get a correct, authenticated-ready DIRCO Certificate without the usual delays.

A South African DIRCO Certificate of Authentication is the official document issued after a document has been submitted to the DIRCO Consular Section. It confirms the Authenticity of a specific document and is commonly required for visa and immigration applications, overseas employment, study and professional registration.

What Road2Asia does for you

• Complete submission & follow-up: We check your documents, submit to DIRCO in Pretoria on your behalf, and proactively follow up until the certificate is issued.

• Document processing: We guide you on correct document attainment (DIRCO only accepts specific documents) and we can also confirm if certain copies are accepted for Authentication purposes.

• Secure collection & verification: Once issued, we collect the original Certificate of Authentication, verify details with a high-resolution scan, and only dispatch after your confirmation.

• Embassy Authentication options: If your destination requires an Embassy Authentication seal, we arrange the processing so your document will be recognised overseas. DIRCO Legalisation is the internationally accepted route for South African public documents.

• Certified translation & courier: Need a translated DIRCO document or expedited courier? We coordinate sworn translations and worldwide delivery to your address via DHL Express.

Turnaround and validity

Processing times vary depending on DIRCO backlogs and current volumes. While fast-track options are available, government processing can extend timelines; applicants should expect variability and plan accordingly. A DIRCO Certificate of Authentication is typically considered valid indefinitely for many immigration authorities — always confirm the exact validity requirement with your receiving authority. However, some countries only accept the latest DIRCO Authentication Certificates, especially in cases where countries join or leave the Hague Convention.

Why South Africans choose us

Road2Asia specialises in immigration documents and apostille services for South Africans applying to Asia and all other continents. Our team combines hands-on document handling with clear guidance on embassy, consulate and Home Affairs requirements — reducing rejected applications, avoiding common fingerprint or form errors, and saving you time. We keep you updated at every step and provide a single point of contact from submission through delivery.

How to track your DIRCO order?

(1) Visit your official Road2Asia Account page.

(2) Insert your reference number for your order, starting with #.

(3) Your order status will be indicated under private notes with an estimate ETA.

(4) Contact us via WhatsApp to receive a Live update on your DIRCO status.

Frequently Asked Questions

(1) How do I get my DIRCO Application started?

Reach out to one of our Visa Consultants to discuss your exact document requirements.

Road2Asia’s Visa Consultants will confirm whether you require a Certificate of Authentication or Apostille.

After we confirm that all is in order, have it couriered to our offices in Pretoria, South Africa.

(2) How long does it take?

We can get your DIRCO Certificate of Authentication within the specified time frame that you select. The quickest time frame is 7 days.

(3) Can I apply from Abroad?

Yes, you can apply from anywhere abroad by couriering your documents to us in Pretoria, South Africa.

(4) What documents does DIRCO need from me?

We don’t need any additional documents besides those that requires Authentication.

(5) I am a foreigner, can I still apply for DIRCO?

Yes, you can. As long as your documents are public documents issued within South Africa.

(6) How long is my DIRCO Authentication valid for?

It is valid indefinitely, unless stated otherwise by your employer or embassy.

(7) Can I apply for a Visa with a DIRCO Authentication?

No, you can not. Embassies that are non-hague members first need to Authenticate the document before you can apply for a visa.

(8) How will I receive my DIRCO Authentication?

We will send you digital scans and also have the physical DIRCO Authentication couriered to the address specified on your order.