Government Gazette Costs and Deadlines for Estate Notices (2026)
Quick Answer
Estate notices appear in the Government Gazette every Friday; lodgement closes roughly seven working days before publication. GPW tariffs are around R250 per notice before newspaper and service fees — through us everything is bundled at a flat R400 per advert.
Image: Wikimedia Commons contributor, via Wikimedia Commons
The Friday Gazette Rule
The Government Gazette that carries estate notices is published by the Government Printing Works (GPW) every Friday. To make a Friday edition, a notice must be lodged well in advance — in practice at least seven working days before publication, correctly formatted and paid. Miss the cut-off and the notice rolls to the next week, which delays the estate by seven days at a time.
What the Notice Costs
- The GPW tariff for a standard estate notice is in the region of R250 per notice (check the current GPW tariff gazette for the exact figure — it is adjusted from time to time).
- A newspaper placement varies by publication and district — from modest community paper rates to several hundred rand in metro dailies. Under Chief Master Directive 1 of 2025 an approved online publication may be used where printed publication is impractical.
- Professional drafting and lodgement services add their own fee on top.
Our Flat R400 — Everything Included
We bundle it all into one flat fee of R400 per advert: drafting in the prescribed J193 or J187 wording, GPW lodgement for the next Friday Gazette, the newspaper or approved online placement in the correct district, and your proof of publication. No percentage of the estate, no surprise extras, and you always know which Gazette your notice will appear in before you commit.
Deadlines That Catch Executors Out
- Late lodgement rolls the advert to the next Friday — and delays the 30-day or 21-day clock.
- Rejected notices (wrong estate number, mismatched executor name) go back in the queue from scratch.
- Public holidays compress the working-day count — December lodgements are the riskiest of the year.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the Gazette published?
Every Friday. Lodgement cut-offs apply, so plan at least seven working days ahead.
Where can I check that my notice was published?
Published legal gazettes are free to download from the GPW legal gazettes portal — search by date. We also send you the proof with your invoice.
Is R400 the total or per notice?
Per advert — one J193 is R400, one J187 is R400. Estates needing both adverts pay R800 for the complete advertising side.
Request Your Estate Advert
Working backwards from a Friday deadline? Send the estate details below today and we will confirm which Gazette your notice can make — flat R400 per advert.
Beat the Friday Deadline — R400 All-In
Drafting, Gazette lodgement, newspaper or online placement and proof — one flat R400 per advert.
nicolette@adminboss.co.za • 074 487 5082
A division of Admin Boss — small-business administration services, South Africa.
Official Resources
- Government Printing Works (GPW)
- GPW — Legal Gazettes (free downloads)
- Chief Master’s Directives (incl. Directive 1 of 2025)
- Administration of Estates Act 66 of 1965 (official PDF)
Related Guides
- Chief Master Directive 1 of 2025: Online Estate Adverts
- J193 Notice to Creditors
- J187 Liquidation and Distribution Account
- Proof of Publication Explained
Last updated: 4 October 2026 by Admin Boss – Estate Division, Pretoria. Questions? Call 074 487 5082 or email nicolette@adminboss.co.za. Admin Boss – Estate Division is a notice publication and administrative service, not a law firm; we do not give legal advice.
Related: The requirements to advertise an estate, as set out by the Master of the High Court | J193 and J187 forms in South Africa | Estate notice glossary and FAQs | Estate notice advertising — flat R400 per advert
Admin Boss – Estate Division is based in Pretoria, Gauteng, and assists clients remotely across South Africa — call 074 487 5082.