Police Clearance Certificate South Africa: Application, Cost & Status Check (2026)
A police clearance certificate is an official document issued by the South African Police Service (SAPS) to confirm whether criminal convictions are recorded against an individual. It is commonly requested when applying for jobs abroad, immigration, visas, permanent residence, professional registration or international study programmes.
Whether you are living in South Africa or applying from another country, preparing the correct paperwork can help prevent avoidable delays. The process generally involves completing the application form, submitting fingerprints, paying the required fee and sending the supporting documents to the designated SAPS processing office in Pretoria.
This guide covers the documents you need, how to apply, the prescribed fee, where to submit your application and how to track your police clearance application.
What Does a Police Clearance Certificate Confirm?
A Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) is an official document produced after SAPS checks an applicant’s criminal conviction records. It provides confirmation of the criminal record information held by the police for the person identified in the application.
You may need a police clearance certificate for several reasons, including:
The certificate is processed by the SAPS Criminal Record and Crime Scene Management division in Pretoria.
A PCC is different from a general police report or an affidavit obtained at a local police station. It requires a formal criminal record check through the designated SAPS authority.
How Long Is a Police Clearance Certificate Valid?
A police clearance certificate does not necessarily have a universal expiry date. Instead, the organisation requesting the document determines how recently it must have been issued.
For instance, an immigration authority may require a certificate issued within a particular period before an application is submitted. An employer or professional body may apply different rules.
Before applying: Ask the organisation requesting your police clearance whether it has an age limit for the certificate and whether the document needs an apostille or other legalisation for use outside South Africa.
Documents and Requirements for Police Clearance
Gathering the necessary paperwork before submitting your application can reduce the risk of delays. Requirements may differ depending on whether you live in South Africa or abroad, so check the latest instructions on the official SAPS website.
Use this checklist to prepare your application.
| Required document | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Completed application form | Provides your personal details, reason for applying and preferred method of receiving the certificate |
| Original fingerprint form | Allows SAPS to conduct the criminal record check |
| Certified ID or passport copy | Helps verify your identity |
| Proof of payment | Confirms payment of the prescribed application fee |
| Name-change documents | Supports requests to include a maiden surname or another legal surname |
| Contact information | Allows SAPS to contact you about your application if necessary |
1. Obtain the Correct Fingerprint Form
Your fingerprints are a key part of the police clearance application because SAPS uses them to identify the correct individual during the criminal record check.
If you are in South Africa, visit a local police station and request fingerprinting for a police clearance certificate. SAPS specifies the SAPS 91(a) fingerprint form for applicants living in the country.
If you live outside South Africa, contact a local police authority or the nearest South African embassy or consulate to confirm the accepted procedure. SAPS permits applicants abroad to use the relevant country’s official fingerprint form or the SAPS 91(a) form, where available.
Check that an authorised official has completed the necessary sections and provided any required signature or stamp. Do not assume that a scanned image, photograph or ordinary photocopy of the fingerprint record will be accepted.
2. Prepare a Certified Copy of Your Identity Document
Include a clear, certified copy of your valid South African identity document or passport, as applicable.
Before submitting your paperwork, check that the information is readable and matches the details recorded on your application and fingerprint form. Differences in names, dates of birth or identity numbers may make it more difficult to match your documents to the correct applicant.
Keep your original identity document available if it is required for verification during fingerprint collection.
3. Keep Your Proof of Payment
You must include proof that you have paid the prescribed police clearance fee. This may be a bank receipt or an electronic payment confirmation.
Follow the payment reference instructions provided by SAPS. An incorrect or incomplete reference can make it harder for the processing office to identify your payment.
Keep a copy of the receipt with your application records in case you need to confirm the transaction later.
4. Include Supporting Documents for Other Surnames
If you want your certificate to include a maiden surname or another surname, state this clearly on the application and attach the relevant supporting documents.
For example, you may need to provide a certified copy of your marriage certificate or another legal document supporting the name change.
Check that the names shown on your supporting documents are consistent and that SAPS has enough information to process the request correctly.
How to Apply for a Police Clearance Certificate in South Africa
The police clearance application process involves preparing your fingerprints and supporting documents, paying the required fee and submitting the complete application to the appropriate SAPS office.
Step 1: Arrange for Your Fingerprints to Be Taken
Your first task is to obtain a properly completed fingerprint record.
If you are applying from South Africa:
- Visit your nearest SAPS police station.
- Explain that you need fingerprints for a police clearance certificate.
- Ask for your fingerprints to be recorded on the required SAPS 91(a) form.
- Check the form for missing details before leaving the station.
If you are applying from another country:
- Contact the local police authority or a South African embassy or consulate.
- Confirm which fingerprint form is accepted for a South African police clearance application.
- Arrange for an authorised official to take your fingerprints.
- Verify that the form has been completed, signed or stamped where required.
Do not send your application until you have checked that the fingerprint documentation meets the current SAPS requirements. Incorrect or incomplete fingerprint records can delay processing.
Step 2: Pay the Prescribed Police Clearance Fee
The SAPS application information lists the police clearance certificate fee as R190 per application. Check the official website before paying to confirm that the fee and banking instructions remain current.
The banking details listed in the supplied application information are:
| Banking detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Bank | ABSA Bank |
| Account name | National Commissioner of the South African Police Service |
| Account number | 4054522787 |
| Branch code | 632005 |
| SWIFT code | ABSAZAJJXXX |
| Payment reference | PCC followed by your initials and surname |
For example, an applicant named Jane Doe could use a reference such as PCC J DOE, provided this matches the current SAPS instructions.
Important payment precaution: Verify the fee, account details and payment reference directly against the official SAPS instructions before transferring money. Keep your payment confirmation for submission with the application.
The prescribed application fee is separate from any optional courier service, document authentication or assistance charges you may incur.
Step 3: Assemble the Application Documents
Before dispatching your paperwork, check that your application package is complete.
Your checklist should include:
Review the details across all documents to ensure they agree. Keep copies of your application and payment receipt for your records, particularly if you are sending original documents from outside South Africa.
Step 4: Submit Your Application to SAPS in Pretoria
Police clearance certificates are processed by the designated SAPS Criminal Record and Crime Scene Management office in Pretoria. Depending on your circumstances, you may be able to submit your application through a police station, deliver it in person or use a postal or courier service.
The addresses provided in the application information are listed below. Confirm the current submission arrangements on the official SAPS website before sending your documents.
Postal address
The Head: Criminal Record and Crime Scene Management
For attention: Police Clearance Certificates
South African Police Service
Private Bag X308
Pretoria, 0001
South Africa
Physical or courier address
The Head: Criminal Record and Crime Scene Management
For attention: Police Clearance Certificates
South African Police Service
Bothongo Plaza West, CRC Client Service Centre
1st Floor, Room 14
271 Francis Baard Street
Pretoria, South Africa
If you are using a postal or courier service, choose a trackable option where possible. Keep the tracking number and delivery confirmation so you can establish when the application reached the processing office.
Applicants applying from abroad should pay particular attention to the submission and return arrangements, as international delivery can add time and cost to the process.
How to Check Your Police Clearance Certificate Status Online
Once your application has been submitted, you can use the official SAPS online enquiry service to find out whether your police clearance application has been recorded and whether processing has been completed.
Always use the official South African Police Service website when checking your application. Avoid unofficial tracking websites that request unnecessary personal information or payment.
Depending on the information available to you, the enquiry service allows you to search using your reference number or the identification details requested by SAPS.
Steps to Check Your Police Clearance Status
Follow these instructions to check your police clearance application online.
Step 1: Open the SAPS enquiry page.
Step 2: Enter your enquiry number.
If SAPS has provided you with an enquiry or reference number, enter it in the appropriate field. Follow the instructions on the website carefully, including any requirements concerning spaces or special characters.
Step 3: Provide your identification details.
Use the information applicable to your circumstances:
Step 4: Submit the enquiry.
Review your entries before submitting the form. The results displayed by SAPS should help you determine whether your application can be located and whether further processing may be required.
If no result appears, check your details and try again. An unsuccessful search does not necessarily mean your application has been rejected or misplaced.
Why Is Your Police Clearance Status Not Showing?
A police clearance status check may not return a result for several reasons. Your application might not yet be registered on the online system, or the details you entered may not match the information held by SAPS.
Other possible explanations include:
Keep your proof of payment, application details and courier tracking information in a safe place. If you still cannot locate your application, contact the SAPS Criminal Record and Crime Scene Management office using the contact information published on the official SAPS website.
How Will You Know When Your Police Clearance Certificate Is Ready?
According to the supplied SAPS application information, applicants who provide a South African mobile number may receive an SMS acknowledging receipt of their application and giving them an allocated reference number. Another notification may be sent when processing is complete.
SMS notifications should not be treated as the only way to monitor progress. Keep your reference number and check the online enquiry service when necessary.
If you are applying from outside South Africa, also confirm how the completed certificate will be collected or delivered. Make sure your contact and return-delivery arrangements are suitable for your location.
How Long Does Police Clearance Take in South Africa?
Waiting for a police clearance certificate can be stressful, particularly when you need it for an overseas job, visa application, university admission or immigration process.
The supplied SAPS information gives an estimated processing period of approximately 15 working days after the Criminal Record and Crime Scene Management office receives all the required documents. This estimate excludes postal and courier delivery time.
However, SAPS has also published a warning that a backlog is affecting the finalisation of police clearance certificates. For this reason, the 15-working-day estimate should not be considered a guaranteed completion date.
Several factors can affect how long you wait:
Practical tip: Apply as early as possible if your police clearance certificate is needed for a visa appointment, employment deadline or international study application. Allow extra time for public holidays, international postage and unexpected processing delays.
Can You Get an Urgent Police Clearance Certificate?
An urgent police clearance certificate may be needed when a visa appointment is approaching, an overseas employer has set a start date or an immigration application has a strict deadline.
However, requesting urgent processing does not automatically mean SAPS will issue your certificate sooner. The published warning about processing delays means you should avoid relying on a standard turnaround estimate when planning an important commitment.
If time is limited, take the following steps:
- Confirm your deadline: Ask the organisation requesting the certificate whether it will accept proof that your application has been submitted while you wait for the final document.
- Prepare everything correctly: Check your fingerprint form, identification documents and payment confirmation before submission.
- Verify the latest requirements: Consult the official SAPS application page for current instructions.
- Use trackable delivery: If you send the documents by post or courier, keep your tracking number and delivery confirmation.
- Monitor your application: Use the official SAPS online enquiry service to check its progress.
- Request clarification if needed: Contact the relevant SAPS office if your application remains untraceable or you need information about its progress.
How Much Does an Urgent Police Clearance Certificate Cost?
The supplied application information lists the standard SAPS police clearance fee as R190 per application. This is the stated application tariff, not confirmation of a separate expedited-processing service.
Additional expenses may include courier charges, international postage, document authentication or fees charged by a private assistance provider.
Before paying a company to help with an urgent police clearance application, establish exactly what its service includes. Ask whether it assists with paperwork and delivery or offers another service, and do not assume that an additional payment can guarantee faster processing by SAPS.
Police Clearance Through PostNet: What Applicants Should Know
People searching for police clearance PostNet are often looking for a convenient way to send their documents to Pretoria or arrange delivery of their completed certificate.
According to the supplied application information, applicants can use postal or courier services at their own expense, subject to SAPS requirements. The application arrangements also make provision for collection by a nominated courier company.
PostNet is a private delivery provider, so confirm directly with your chosen branch whether it can handle your particular shipment. Do not assume that every branch offers a dedicated police clearance application service.
Before sending your documents, take these precautions:
Remember that delivery and criminal record processing are separate stages. A courier may help your documents reach the processing office more efficiently, but it cannot guarantee that SAPS will complete the police clearance check sooner.
Final Checklist for Your Police Clearance Application
Before sending your police clearance application to SAPS, review each item to make sure you have prepared the necessary documents and followed the submission instructions.
A carefully prepared application can help prevent avoidable delays. Check your documents, verify the payment instructions and keep track of your submission throughout the process. If you need police clearance for employment, immigration, a visa or overseas study, apply well in advance, particularly when SAPS is reporting processing delays.
For more information about South African government services, online portals and application procedures, visit Info Hub South Africa, your guide to accessing useful government and education resources.
FAQs
To get a police clearance certificate in South Africa, you need to apply through the South African Police Service (SAPS). The certificate confirms whether criminal convictions are recorded against your name.
Follow these steps:
- Visit your nearest SAPS police station and request a police clearance application.
- Have your fingerprints taken on the required SAPS 91(a) form.
- Prepare a certified copy of your South African ID or passport.
- Attach proof of payment and any supporting documents required for name changes.
- Submit the completed application according to the official SAPS instructions.
The application is processed by the SAPS Criminal Record and Crime Scene Management office in Pretoria. Read the official SAPS police clearance application guide before applying.
A police clearance certificate in South Africa may take approximately 15 working days to finalise after SAPS receives all the required documents. However, this estimate excludes postal or courier delivery time, and processing may take longer when there is a backlog or an incomplete application.
South African Police Service
To help avoid delays:
- Submit all required documents and fingerprints correctly.
- Include proof of payment.
- Provide accurate contact details.
- Check your application status online.
- Allow extra time if you need the certificate for a visa, job application or overseas travel.
If you need an urgent police clearance certificate, apply as early as possible. Urgent processing is not guaranteed, so confirm the latest arrangements directly with SAPS.
You can check your police clearance certificate status using the official SAPS online enquiry service. You may need your police clearance enquiry number and identifying details to find your application.
To check your status:
- Open the official SAPS police clearance status enquiry page.
- Enter your police clearance enquiry number, if available.
- Provide the requested South African ID number or date of birth.
- If the application cannot be located using your ID, follow the page’s instructions for searching with your surname and date of birth.
- Submit the enquiry to view the available application information.
Keep your enquiry number safe after submitting your application. If you cannot find your record online, contact the SAPS Criminal Record Centre for assistance.
A South African police certificate is generally called a Police Clearance Certificate (PCC). It is issued by SAPS and is commonly required for employment abroad, immigration, residence applications and other official purposes.
To obtain one, complete the application process, provide the required fingerprints, submit identification documents and proof of payment, and follow SAPS instructions for sending or delivering your application. The certificate is processed by the Criminal Record and Crime Scene Management office in Pretoria.
If you intend to use the certificate overseas, check whether the receiving authority requires an apostille, authentication or another form of legalisation. The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) provides information about legalising South African public documents for use abroad.
The SAPS FAQ currently lists the police clearance certificate fee as R190 per application. Because government fees and payment instructions can change, confirm the latest amount and banking details on the official SAPS website before paying.
South African Police Service
Remember these points:
- The fee is generally non-refundable.
- You must include proof of payment with your application.
- Courier, postage or international delivery charges may be additional.
- If applying from abroad, check how to make an acceptable payment from your country.
Do not rely on old articles or unofficial payment details when making a transfer. Verify the current fee and payment reference directly with SAPS.
If you live outside South Africa, you can apply for a South African police clearance certificate from abroad. SAPS states that overseas applicants may have their fingerprints taken at a local police station or South African embassy or consulate, subject to the relevant arrangements.
The general process is:
- Contact your local police authority or South African mission to confirm fingerprinting requirements.
- Have your fingerprints taken on the appropriate official fingerprint form.
- Prepare the required application details and a certified copy of your valid passport or South African ID, as applicable.
- Arrange payment using the current SAPS instructions.
- Send the application and supporting documents directly to the SAPS Criminal Record and Crime Scene Management office in Pretoria, following its latest guidance.
- Arrange collection or courier delivery as instructed on your application.
Applications from abroad are processed by SAPS in Pretoria, not issued by the embassy itself. Check the SAPS application instructions before sending original documents or arranging international delivery.
There is no single list of countries that require every applicant to provide a police clearance certificate. Requirements depend on the destination country’s immigration rules, the type of visa or residence application, and the applicant’s personal circumstances.
A police clearance certificate may be requested for:
- Permanent residence or immigration applications.
- Certain work visas and overseas employment.
- Citizenship or long-term residence applications.
- Professional registration or roles involving vulnerable people.
- Court proceedings or other official procedures.
Countries such as the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United States may require police certificates for certain immigration or visa processes, but the exact rules differ by application type. Check the official immigration website of the destination country to confirm whether a South African PCC is needed, how recent it must be and whether legalisation or translation is required.
The documents required for a police clearance application in South Africa generally include the following:
- Completed application: Provide the details requested by SAPS.
- Fingerprints: Applicants in South Africa generally need a full set of fingerprints on the SAPS 91(a) form. Overseas applicants should confirm the accepted fingerprint form before submitting.
- Identity document or passport: Include a certified copy of the required identification document.
- Proof of payment: Attach evidence that the prescribed fee has been paid.
- Name-change documents: If you need the certificate to reflect a maiden surname or another previous surname, include supporting evidence, such as a marriage certificate.
- Contact and delivery details: Provide accurate contact information and the collection or delivery arrangements requested by SAPS.
Requirements may vary depending on whether you apply from within South Africa or overseas. Fingerprint scans or emailed copies are not accepted as a substitute for the required fingerprints. Review the official SAPS document checklist and instructions before submitting your application.
Conclusion
Applying for a police clearance certificate in South Africa becomes easier when you understand the requirements, prepare the correct documents and follow the official SAPS application process. Remember to arrange your fingerprints, pay the prescribed fee, include proof of payment and send your application to the designated Criminal Record Centre in Pretoria.
If you have already applied, use the official SAPS online enquiry service to check your police clearance certificate status and keep your application reference and courier details safe. Applicants who need an urgent police clearance certificate should apply as early as possible, as processing delays may affect the expected completion date.
Before submitting your documents or transferring money, verify the latest fees, banking details and application instructions on the official SAPS website. For more helpful South African government service guides, application updates and online portal instructions, visit Info Hub South Africa.
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