Many times we are asked which documents are needed and to what end?  

The detailed paragraphs below under the two main sub-headings should be self-explanatory:

📄 Documents That Only Need DIRCO

These are original South African official (public) documents that DIRCO accepts as-is for Authentication. They do not require notarisation, High Court, or Chinese Embassy legalisation.

• Unabridged Birth Certificates (original DHA-issued)

• Unabridged Marriage Certificates (original DHA-issued)

• Unabridged Death Certificates (original DHA-issued)

• Letters of No Impediment (original DHA-issued)

• Police Clearance Certificates (original SAPS-issued)

• Original DHA civil status documents (not certified copies)

• Original educational documents only if they already carry the correct SAQA/Umalusi/Higher Education signatures recognised by DIRCO

• Original government-issued documents with an official signature and seal that DIRCO recognises

These documents can be authenticated by DIRCO alone because they are already classified as “official public documents” under South African law.

🏛️ Documents That Need DIRCO → Chinese Embassy

China is not a member of the Apostille Convention, so all documents intended for use in China must undergo full legalisation, ending with the Chinese Embassy or Consulate.

The following documents must go through:

Notary → High Court → DIRCO → Chinese Embassy

• Any notarised document (affidavits, declarations, powers of attorney)

• Any certified copy of a document (DIRCO does not accept certified copies directly)

• Sworn translations (notary + High Court required)

• Educational certificates that require verification (matric certificates, degrees, diplomas)

• Company documents (CIPC documents, resolutions, contracts)

• Employment letters, bank letters, medical letters, or any document not issued by a government department

• Privately issued documents of any kind

• Any document that first requires High Court authentication

In short:

If the document is not an original DHA or SAPS-issued public document, it must go through the full chain ending at the Chinese Embassy.

🧭 Quick Rule of Thumb

• Original DHA/SAPS documents → DIRCO only

• Notarised, certified, translated, or privately issued documents → DIRCO + Chinese Embassy

• Anything for China that is not an original government document → Always ends with the Chinese Embassy