Power of Attorney High Court Urgent Apostille Service
Granting Power of Attorney to a lawyer, an agent or another person is commonplace when you need someone to act on your behalf overseas. In South Africa, a power of attorney is a legal document that enables an individual or company to authorise another person to act on their behalf. This authority may extend to business, legal or private matters.
Also known as a letter of authorisation, the power of attorney is drawn up by the “donor” or “grantor” and lists all the powers that the appointed “attorney” is authorised to carry out. It will also state how long the powers are due to last.
If you intend to use a power of attorney outside South Africa, you may need to obtain a notarisation and High Court apostille of the document.
At Global Apostille, our professional team can assist you with the notarisation and High Court apostille of your power of attorney to ensure its authenticity and legal compliance in Pretoria, Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban.
Get your Power of Attorney apostilled in as little as 1 to 2 working days.
Notarisation and High Court Apostille for your power of attorney
If you intend to use a power of attorney outside South Africa, it must be notarised. Depending on the country, you may also need to have it apostilled by the High Court, and in certain cases, have it further legalised by the embassy of the country in which it is going to be used.
The purpose of the notarisation and High Court apostille is to provide assurance that it is a valid document and has been executed correctly. The High Court Apostille provides an official certification confirming that the notarised power of attorney meets the standards required under the 1961 Hague Apostille Convention.
When notarising a power of attorney in South Africa, the notary will witness the signature of the person granting it and will confirm that they have the necessary capacity to issue the document.
If you are signing on behalf of a company, the notary will also verify that the company exists and that you have the necessary authority to represent and bind it.
Cost of High Court Apostille for Powers of Attorney
- High Court Apostille: R650 per document
- Notary Public Certification + Apostille: R1,300 per document
Processing includes full management of the notarisation and High Court Apostille steps. Courier services for document delivery within South Africa are available at an additional cost.
Apostille Processing Times
- Notarisation and High Court Apostille : 1–2 working days
Processing times may vary depending on the nature of the document and the requirements of the High Court. Powers of Attorney must be correctly notarised before submission to the High Court for Apostille certification.
Common Documents Eligible for High Court Apostille
Power of Attorney Apostille Requirements
To ensure successful processing of a Power of Attorney Apostille, the document must be presented in good condition, with all signatures, stamps, and notarisation clearly visible.
- Only the ORIGINAL power of Attorney can have the apostille.
- The person making the power of attorney signs in INK
- A Notary signs as a witness
- You need to send the ink signed document – not a copy
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is a High Court Apostille?
A High Court Apostille is an official certificate issued by the High Court that confirms the notarisation of a document, allowing it to be legally recognised in other countries that are members of the Hague Apostille Convention. - Why is notarisation required for Powers of Attorney?
Notarisation by a Notary Public certifies the authenticity of signatures and confirms that the document complies with South African legal standards. This is a prerequisite for obtaining a High Court Apostille. - Which countries accept a High Court Apostille?
All countries that are signatories to the 1961 Hague Apostille Convention recognise documents certified by the South African High Court. - Who issues Apostille certificates in South Africa?
Apostille certificates for notarised documents such as Powers of Attorney are issued by the High Court. - How long does it take to obtain a High Court Apostille?
Typically, the High Court Apostille process is completed within 1–2 working days once the document has been notarised and submitted. - What is the cost of obtaining a Power of Attorney Apostille?
- High Court Apostille: R650 per document
- Notary Public certification and Apostille: R1,300 per document