Do you need to verify your academic qualifications? Getting your academic qualifications verified and apostilled for legal use abroad can be a lengthy process, and not knowing where to have documents verified for their authenticity is often one of the biggest issues that people face. Before you can have your academic qualifications apostilled, you will need to have them verified for authenticity, and this process is done by one of three governing bodies: Umalusi, SAQA (previously it was the DHET), and the QCTO.
It is generally assumed that Umalusi (the Council for Qua
Academic qualification verification letter that goes with an with apostille.
lity Assurance in General and Further Education Training) is responsible for the verification of all academic qualifications, but this is not always the case. Some individuals will have to get their certificates and qualifications verified for apostille through SAQA or the QCTO, and not necessarily with Umalusi. Here are some general pointers that can help you understand who you will need to work through:
Use Umalusi if:
You obtained your academic qualification after 1992. Umalusi verifies academic certificates that were issued post-1992, including the following:
• Senior Certificate (pre-2008)
• National Senior Certificate
• National Technical Certificate (N3)
• National Senior Certificate: Colleges
• National Certificate: Vocational
• General Education and Training Certificate for Adults
Use SAQA if:
The Departments of Basic and Higher Education and Training (DHET) are responsible for the verification of all academic qualifications that were issued before 1992, however this is now handled by SAQA (as of December 2019). If your results have not yet been certified, you will also need to work through the Department of Basic and Higher Education and Training in order to get your qualifications verified. Note that if you have a qualification from UNISA, you will need to download the UNISA qualification verification form.
Use the QCTO if:
The Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO) is responsible for the verification of trade skills and qualifications, therefore; the QCTO should be used to verify Trade Certificates NQF Level 2 through 8, including the following qualifications:
- Trade Certificates issued by the QCTO
- Trade Certificates issued by the Department of Labor, Department of Manpower, and the Department of Higher Education and Training
- Trainee Certificates issued by the Department of Labor, Department of Manpower, and the Department of Higher Education and Training
- Trade Certificates issued under the Black Builders Act
- Replacement Trade Certificates issued by the QCTO
How the academic qualifications verification process works:
Along with a certified copy of your ID document or passport, you will need to submit a certified copy of your academic qualification to the SAQA, QCTO, or Umalusi for verification. You will need to state the embassy or country for which the documents are destined along with the following information:
• Requestor’s Embassy/ High Court / Consular name and address
• Name and Surname or the requestor
• ID number, contact number, email address and contact person details
Verification of academic qualifications are usually completed within three business days. Once your academic qualifications have been verified, they are forwarded to the Legalisation Section of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) in order to be apostilled.
After your academic certificates have been verified and received by the Legalisation Section of DIRCO, they are either authenticated with an Apostille Certificate (if the country you are traveling to is a signatory of the Hague Convention) or an Authenticity Certificate (if the country you are traveling to is not a signatory of the Hague Convention). After your documents have been authenticated or apostilled, they can be collected for legal use abroad.
How our services can help you verify your academic qualifications
We understand just what a lengthy process it can be to get your academic qualifications verified and apostilled for use abroad, which is why we offer a quick and convenient service that will take care of all your legalisation needs. If you’re keen on learning how you can avoid long waiting periods, be sure to get in touch with us today!
