How must identity documents and passports be certified for the application? #

Every proposed director must provide a clear certified copy of the correct identity document.

A certified copy is a copy that an authorised person has compared with the original and marked as a true copy. For this purpose, the authorised person is commonly called a Commissioner of Oaths.

Which document must be used? #

• A South African citizen must use a certified South African identity document.
• A foreign national must use a certified valid passport.
• Do not use a South African citizen’s passport in place of the South African identity document for this application.
• Asylum-seeker and temporary-resident documents are not accepted as identity confirmation in the current supported process.

Current certification rules #

The live portal states that:

• certification must be no older than three calendar months;
• the certification date must appear;
• only one person’s identity document or passport may appear on a page;
• both sides of a South African identity card must appear on the same single page;
• a South African Commissioner of Oaths must show their full name and surname, business address, signature, designation and certification date; and
• a police official must also show their rank and rank number.

Documents certified outside South Africa need the correct international authentication. A Notary Public certification is accepted only when it has the appropriate seal or certificate.

Make the copy readable #

The full document, photograph, numbers, dates and certification must be clear. Avoid glare, shadows, cropped corners and low-resolution images.

Do not email identity documents to the ordinary support mailbox. Upload them only through the protected application.

Related articles #

• Start the protected application
• More document guidance

Last checked against the live portal: 31 August 2026