The Government Gazette is South Africa’s official publication for government notices, legal notices, regulations and other information that must be placed in the public domain. It is published by the Government Printing Works and includes national, provincial and legal notices.

ALSO READ: Steps to advertise a deceased estate notice in South Africa

For attorneys, executors, fiduciary practitioners, businesses and members of the public, publishing the correct notice can be an important step in completing a legal or administrative process.

Legal Notice Publishing assists clients with Government Gazette notice submissions and related statutory newspaper publication.

What is a Government Gazette notice?

A Government Gazette notice is a formal notice published to inform the public, creditors, interested parties or affected persons about a legal or administrative matter.

Government Gazette notices may relate to:

• Deceased estates
• Insolvent estates and liquidations
• Lost title deeds
• Environmental applications
• Company matters
• Liquor licence applications
• Property matters
• Other statutory processes

The required wording, form and publication route depend on the law or procedure applying to the matter.

How to publish a notice in the Government Gazette

The process starts by identifying the correct notice type and gathering the required information.

This may include names, identity or registration numbers, estate numbers, property descriptions, dates, contact details and supporting documents. Some notices must be submitted on a prescribed form.

All information should be checked carefully before submission. An incorrect name, reference number, date or property description may delay publication or require a correction.

Legal Notice Publishing can assist with reviewing, preparing and submitting the notice. We can also accommodate online newspaper publication where this is required.

Government Gazette notices for deceased estates

Deceased-estate administration commonly requires publication in both the Government Gazette and a newspaper or online newspaper.

A J193 notice calls on creditors to lodge claims against a deceased estate. It generally includes the deceased’s details, estate number, Master’s Office, executor information and the period allowed for claims.

A J187 notice is published later in the estate process. It informs interested parties that the liquidation and distribution account will lie open for inspection for the prescribed period.

The Department of Justice confirms that executors must advertise for creditors in the Government Gazette and in a newspaper or online newspaper circulating in the area where the deceased lived.

Online publication of estate notices

Chief Master’s Directive 1 of 2025 provides a framework for placing prescribed deceased-estate advertisements in qualifying online newspapers. It took effect on 13 February 2025 and must be read together with Chief Master’s Directive 1 of 2020.

This online newspaper option does not replace Government Gazette publication where Gazette publication is still required.

Legal Notice Publishing can coordinate both parts of the publication process.

Why use Legal Notice Publishing?

Government Gazette submissions can be delayed by incorrect forms, missing information or missed deadlines.

Our service includes:

• Reviewing notice information
• Preparing or checking the notice
• Coordinating Government Gazette submission
• Arranging related newspaper publication
• Providing proof of publication
• Keeping the client informed

Legal Notice Publishing is an independent notice-publication service and is not the Government Printing Works.

Submit a Government Gazette notice

Send us the completed notice or the details of the matter, together with any supporting documents.

We will review the information, advise what is required and provide the applicable publication cost and intended publication date.

Publish your Government Gazette and statutory legal notices through one professional service. Send an email to jana@legalnotice.co.za.