Last updated: 14 August 2026 (Police Clearance Cost in South Africa)
Reviewed by: Road2Asia Visa & Document Services
Information verified against: South African Police Service (SAPS), South African Government and DIRCO

The official South African Police Service fee for a Police Clearance Certificate is R190 per application in 2026. This is the prescribed, non-refundable SAPS government fee and should not be confused with courier charges, professional assistance fees or the cost of legalising the certificate for use overseas.

For someone applying directly through SAPS, the key figure is therefore:

Official SAPS Police Clearance Certificate fee: R190

If you use a professional service provider, courier the documents, require fingerprints to be taken privately or need the certificate apostilled or authenticated for international use, the total cost can be higher.

Police Clearance Certificate Cost at a Glance

Cost	Amount
Official SAPS Police Clearance Certificate application fee	R190
SAPS fingerprinting at the applicable police service point	Normally part of the SAPS application process
Private courier costs	Varies
Professional application assistance	Separate
Road2Asia Police Clearance service	From R490
DIRCO Apostille / Authentication government fee	R0
Professional DIRCO submission assistance	Separate
Embassy legalisation, if required	Depends on destination country

SAPS currently publishes a prescribed Police Clearance Certificate tariff of R190 per application. Road2Asia currently advertises Police Clearance Certificate assistance from R490, while DIRCO’s own legalisation service is provided free of government charge.

How Much Does a Police Clearance Certificate Cost in South Africa?

A standard SAPS Police Clearance Certificate costs R190 when you apply through the official South African Police Service process.

SAPS describes the tariff as non-refundable.

The fee can currently be paid according to the payment methods permitted by SAPS, including payment through the relevant police-station process or electronic payment where applicable.

The R190 amount is the government application fee only.

It does not necessarily represent everything you may spend before the certificate is ready for its final purpose.

For example, an applicant living in Cape Town who needs the final certificate apostilled for overseas employment may also incur:

courier costs;
professional assistance charges;
DIRCO submission-service costs;
return courier costs; and
possible embassy authentication fees where the destination country does not use the Apostille Convention.

For that reason, always distinguish between:

SAPS government fee and total end-to-end document cost.

What Does the R190 SAPS Fee Cover?

The R190 tariff covers the official SAPS Police Clearance Certificate application.

A Police Clearance Certificate is an official document issued through the South African Police Service criminal-record system confirming whether criminal convictions are recorded against an applicant’s fingerprints and personal particulars.

Applicants generally require Police Clearance Certificates for purposes such as:

emigration;
foreign employment;
work visas;
residence applications;
immigration;
foreign citizenship applications; and
other processes requiring proof of criminal-record status.

The South African Government specifically directs people who need a Police Clearance Certificate for working or emigrating abroad to apply through SAPS.

Why Do Some Websites Show a Different Police Clearance Fee?

This is one of the most important points to understand when researching Police Clearance prices online.

SAPS provides more than one type of police-clearance-related document, and old websites may also display obsolete tariffs.

Police Clearance Certificate — R190

The Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) is the document ordinarily required for immigration, foreign employment, visa and overseas purposes.

The current prescribed SAPS tariff is:

R190 per application.

Police Clearance Report — R95

SAPS also provides a different document called a Police Clearance Report (PCR).

The SAPS website currently lists the prescribed fee for this report as R95 and describes it as a service used for purposes including confirmation of criminal status in connection with criminal-record expungement.

These are not the same product.

Document	Typical purpose	SAPS fee
Police Clearance Certificate (PCC)	Visas, foreign employment, immigration, residence	R190
Police Clearance Report (PCR)	Certain local criminal-record/expungement processes	R95

If an overseas employer, foreign government or embassy asks for a South African Police Clearance Certificate, you generally need the PCC, not the cheaper Police Clearance Report.

Road2Asia Practical Tip

If you find a website claiming that a South African Police Clearance Certificate costs R95, check whether the page is actually referring to a Police Clearance Report.

If it claims another amount such as R59, R114 or R150, the page may simply contain an older SAPS tariff.

For a new PCC application in 2026, the current SAPS figure to work from is R190.

What Is the Total Cost of Getting a Police Clearance Certificate?

The complete cost depends on how you apply and what must happen after SAPS issues the certificate.

Stage	Possible cost
SAPS PCC application	R190
Fingerprint documents / private fingerprint service	Depends on provider
Courier to Pretoria / service provider	Varies
Road2Asia assisted Police Clearance service	From R490
DIRCO government Apostille	Free
Professional DIRCO processing	Separate
Embassy authentication	Destination-dependent
International courier	Destination-dependent

Road2Asia currently advertises assisted South African Police Clearance Certificate services from R490. This is a private service-provider price and is separate conceptually from SAPS’ prescribed R190 government tariff.

Always confirm what a quoted service fee includes.

A professional quote may cover some combination of:

document checking;
application preparation;
fingerprints;
SAPS submission;
collection;
progress follow-up;
courier;
DIRCO legalisation; or
foreign embassy authentication.

Two companies quoting different prices may therefore not be offering exactly the same service.

How Much Does Road2Asia Charge for Police Clearance Assistance?

Road2Asia currently advertises Police Clearance Certificates from R490.

The exact total depends on the service required.

For example, the applicant may only require assistance obtaining the SAPS certificate, while another applicant may require:

Police Clearance → DIRCO Apostille → Embassy Authentication → International Courier

These are different workflows and should not be priced as if they were the same service.

Government Fee vs Road2Asia Service Fee

The distinction is:

SAPS government application: R190
Road2Asia assisted service: from R490
DIRCO government legalisation: free
Courier / embassy / additional processing: charged separately where applicable.

Road2Asia is an independent document-assistance company and does not issue Police Clearance Certificates. The issuing authority remains the South African Police Service.

What Do You Need to Apply for a SAPS Police Clearance Certificate?

A standard PCC application requires identification and fingerprints.

Applicants should generally prepare:

a complete set of fingerprints;
a certified copy of a South African ID document or passport;
the Police Clearance Certificate application information;
proof of payment of the prescribed fee where required; and
relevant contact or return details.

The official SAPS Police Clearance application form specifically requires a certified copy of the applicant’s South African identity document or passport to accompany the application.

SAPS states that fingerprints may be taken using the applicable official fingerprint form or the SAPS 91(a) fingerprint enquiry form where available.

How to Apply for a Police Clearance Certificate in South Africa

The general application process is:

Visit the appropriate SAPS service point or police station.
Have a full set of fingerprints taken.
Provide your identification details.
Attach a certified copy of your ID or passport.
Pay the R190 application fee.
Submit the complete Police Clearance Certificate application.
The fingerprints and information are processed through the SAPS criminal-record system.
Wait for the Police Clearance Certificate to be finalised.
Arrange collection or return according to the submission method used.

The South African Government advises applicants who need a PCC for emigration or foreign employment to apply through their nearest South African police station.

SAPS also provides an online status-search facility for existing Police Clearance Certificate applications. The current SAPS status page continues to show both completed and outstanding applications and provides Criminal Record Centre contact information for follow-up.

Where Are Fingerprints Taken for a Police Clearance Certificate?

Within South Africa, fingerprints can be taken through SAPS.

The SAPS service information states that fingerprinting can be performed at local police stations and at the SAPS Criminal Record Centre in Pretoria.

Fingerprints must be clear enough to allow the applicant’s criminal-record status to be processed correctly.

For international applicants, different arrangements apply.

How Long Does a Police Clearance Certificate Take?

There is an important inconsistency in SAPS’ own published information that applicants should know about.

The main SAPS Police Clearance service page currently says:

Finalisation takes approximately 15 working days from receipt of the complete application at the Criminal Record Centre.

However, a separate SAPS service-standard FAQ currently states:

approximately 28 working days from receipt of the complete application.

Therefore, it would be misleading to promise every applicant an exact government turnaround.

SAPS source	Published timeframe
Main PCC service page	Approximately 15 working days
SAPS service-standard FAQ	Approximately 28 working days

Road2Asia Practical Recommendation

Do not plan an international visa or employment deadline around the shortest published estimate.

Allow additional time for:

fingerprints reaching the SAPS Criminal Record Centre;
application backlogs;
name or identity verification;
a criminal-record match requiring examination;
courier delivery;
public holidays; and
apostille or authentication after the PCC has been issued.

If the certificate is required for an international job, visa or residence application, begin the process as early as the receiving authority allows.

Can You Apply for a South African Police Clearance From Overseas?

Yes.

SAPS states that people living outside South Africa may arrange for fingerprints to be taken through an appropriate police service in the country where they are living, or through the applicable South African mission arrangements, and then submit the required documentation for processing in South Africa.

For an overseas application, applicants should generally prepare:

a full set of fingerprints;
copy of passport or South African ID;
prescribed application information;
proof of payment where applicable;
return contact details; and
reliable courier arrangements.

The South African High Commission in the United Kingdom similarly confirms that South African Police Clearance applications are ultimately handled directly through the South African Police Service Criminal Records process rather than being issued by the mission itself.

Road2Asia can assist clients already living abroad with coordinating the South African processing and subsequent legalisation stages.

How Much Does It Cost to Apostille a Police Clearance Certificate?

If your PCC will be used outside South Africa, the destination authority may ask for the original certificate to be apostilled or authenticated by DIRCO.

DIRCO itself currently charges:

R0 government legalisation fee.

Its official Legalisation Services page states that DIRCO Apostille and Authentication services are offered free of charge.

However, the total process may still cost money if you use:

a courier;
a professional submission agent;
Road2Asia;
an embassy authentication service; or
international delivery.

Legalisation component	Government fee
DIRCO Apostille	R0
DIRCO Authentication	R0
Registered service provider	Separate private fee
Courier	Separate
Foreign embassy legalisation	Depends on country

DIRCO will only legalise an original SAPS Police Clearance Certificate that satisfies its current requirements.

Does a South African Police Clearance Certificate Expire?

The SAPS certificate itself does not necessarily display a universal expiry rule for every possible use.

The receiving authority determines how recent the certificate must be.

For DIRCO legalisation, however, the rule is clear:

DIRCO currently accepts original SAPS Police Clearance Certificates that are no older than six months and expressly states that PCCs are valid for six months for its legalisation purposes.

This means that if you need the PCC apostilled or authenticated by DIRCO, do not allow the document to become more than six months old before legalisation.

A foreign embassy, employer or immigration authority may impose an even shorter validity requirement.

Always check that authority’s rules before applying.

When Do You Need a Police Clearance Certificate?

South African PCCs are commonly required for international processes such as:

work visas;
immigration;
permanent residence applications;
foreign citizenship;
employment abroad;
teaching positions overseas;
residence permits;
adoption;
professional registration;
emigration; and
other processes requiring proof of criminal-record status.

The South African Government specifically identifies emigration and working abroad as common reasons for obtaining a Police Clearance Certificate.

How to Avoid Paying for a Police Clearance Twice

Before applying:

Confirm exactly which police clearance the organisation wants.
Do not confuse a Police Clearance Report with a Police Clearance Certificate.
Check how recent the certificate must be.
Confirm whether the original needs DIRCO Apostille or Authentication.
Check whether the destination embassy requires another legalisation stage after DIRCO.
Apply using the same name and identification details shown on your passport.
Make sure your fingerprints are clear and complete.
Do not laminate a PCC that will need DIRCO legalisation.
Do not apply too early if the receiving authority imposes a strict validity period.
Do not leave the application until immediately before your visa or employment deadline.

DIRCO currently requires original PCCs for legalisation and does not authenticate a certified copy as a substitute for the original certificate.

How Road2Asia Can Assist With Police Clearance Certificates

Road2Asia assists South Africans locally and abroad with Police Clearance Certificate applications and subsequent international document requirements.

Services can include:

South African Police Clearance Certificate assistance;
fingerprint guidance;
SAPS submission coordination;
application tracking;
document collection;
domestic courier;
international courier;
DIRCO Apostille;
DIRCO Authentication;
embassy authentication where required; and
integration with visa and overseas employment document requirements.

Road2Asia currently advertises Police Clearance Certificate services from R490 and provides nationwide and international assistance.

Road2Asia is an independent private visa and document assistance company. Police Clearance Certificates are officially issued by the South African Police Service.

Frequently Asked Questions About Police Clearance Certificate Costs

How much does a Police Clearance Certificate cost in South Africa?

The current prescribed SAPS fee is R190 per Police Clearance Certificate application.

Is a South African Police Clearance Certificate R95?

No, not the standard Police Clearance Certificate used for visa and international purposes.

SAPS currently lists R190 for a Police Clearance Certificate and R95 for a separate Police Clearance Report used for different purposes.

How much does SAPS charge for fingerprints?

For a standard PCC application performed through the applicable SAPS process, fingerprints form part of the clearance application procedure. Applicants using a private fingerprinting provider, courier service or service agent may incur separate charges. SAPS confirms that fingerprints can be taken at local police stations and the Criminal Record Centre.

How much does Road2Asia charge for a Police Clearance Certificate?

Road2Asia currently advertises Police Clearance Certificate services from R490. Additional services such as courier, apostille or embassy authentication may affect the final price.

How long does a SAPS Police Clearance Certificate take?

SAPS’ main PCC service page currently states approximately 15 working days after the complete application reaches the Criminal Record Centre, while another SAPS service-standard page states approximately 28 working days. Applicants should therefore allow a reasonable buffer rather than relying on one guaranteed turnaround.

Is DIRCO Apostille included in the R190 fee?

No.

The R190 tariff relates to the SAPS Police Clearance Certificate application. DIRCO is a separate legalisation process. DIRCO’s own government legalisation service is currently free, although courier and professional assistance charges can still apply.

How old can a Police Clearance Certificate be for DIRCO?

DIRCO currently requires an original SAPS Police Clearance Certificate that is no more than six months old.

Can I get a South African Police Clearance if I live overseas?

Yes. SAPS provides an application route for people living abroad, including having fingerprints taken through the appropriate local police or South African mission arrangements before the application is processed in South Africa.

Can Road2Asia arrange the PCC and Apostille together?

Road2Asia provides both Police Clearance Certificate and DIRCO legalisation services, allowing clients who need an internationally legalised PCC to coordinate the stages through one document-service provider. Road2Asia currently lists both Police Clearance and DIRCO services among its document offerings.

Official Sources

The information in this guide was checked against current official South African sources:

South African Police Service — Applying for a Police Clearance Certificate: current R190 tariff, application requirements and processing information.
South African Police Service — PCC FAQ: confirms the current prescribed R190 application fee.
South African Government — Apply for a Police Clearance Certificate: official guidance for applicants requiring PCCs for emigration and overseas work.
South African Police Service — PCC Status Enquiry: current online status and Criminal Record Centre contact facility.
DIRCO Legalisation Services: current requirements for legalising SAPS Police Clearance Certificates and DIRCO’s free government legalisation service.

About Road2Asia

Road2Asia Visa & Document Services assists South Africans and international clients with Police Clearance Certificates, DIRCO Apostilles, DIRCO Authentications, Home Affairs documents, qualification verification, embassy authentication and international visa processes.

Road2Asia currently advertises Police Clearance Certificate assistance from R490 and supports applicants within South Africa as well as South Africans living overseas.

This guide was reviewed on 14 August 2026 against the current South African Police Service, South African Government and DIRCO information.

Related Road2Asia Guides

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How to Apostille a Police Clearance Certificate
How Long Does DIRCO Take?
DIRCO Apostille Cost South Africa
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Need a South African Police Clearance Certificate?

Road2Asia can assist with the SAPS Police Clearance process and, where required, coordinate DIRCO legalisation and international document delivery.

Apply for Police Clearance

Government tariffs, processing times and requirements can change. The issuing authority remains SAPS and all clearance decisions remain under the control of the South African Police Service.