Official South African Police Clearance Certificate from SAPS

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Whether clear or with a record, the Police Clearance Certificate from SAPS is valid and legal for official use — including work visa, immigration, employment, or residency applications.

Who Can Apply for a Police Clearance from South Africa?

Anyone can apply — even if they are not in South Africa. A South African police clearance is available to:

South African citizens living locally or abroad

With our service, you can apply from anywhere in the world — including Oceania, Asia, Europe, Australia, or Americas — without needing to visit a SAPS office or embassy. You simply send us digital scans of your completed form and fingerprints.

We work directly with SAPS CRC, not through middlemen or embassies. This ensures:

• Faster turnaround times

• Secure, reliable processing

• Full transparency with tracking

Foreign nationals who have lived or worked in South Africa

Foreign nationals who have resided or worked in South Africa are eligible to apply for a South African Police Clearance Certificate (PCC). This certificate is often required when applying for visas, residency, or employment in other countries, or when needing to prove a clean criminal record in South Africa. The SAPS Police Clearance is based on the individual’s fingerprint records and personal information, regardless of nationality, as long as they have a history of residing or working within the country. It serves as an official confirmation that the individual has no criminal record in South Africa, providing crucial documentation for various international and legal purposes.

Individuals needing it for employment, immigration, study, or visa applications

A South African Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) is often required by individuals applying for employment, immigration, study, or visa applications, both within South Africa and abroad. Many countries and organizations request a PCC as part of the background check process to ensure that the applicant has no criminal record in South Africa. This certificate provides official proof of a clean criminal history, which is a critical component for securing work permits, residence visas, student visas, or employment opportunities. Whether you are moving abroad for work, study, or immigration purposes, obtaining a SAPS Police Clearance Certificate is an essential step in meeting legal and regulatory requirements.

What is a Police Clearance Certificate?

A South African Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) is an official document issued by the South African Police Service (SAPS) after a criminal background check. It verifies whether or not a person has a criminal record listed in the national criminal database, based on their fingerprints and identity details.

The background check is conducted using your fingerprints, full name, ID or passport, and other identifying information. These are matched against the SAPS Criminal Record Centre (CRC) database, located near our Road2Asia Offices in Pretoria.

If no record is found, the certificate will clearly state:
“No criminal record.”
If a record exists, the details will appear on the second page of the document.

How to Apply for a South African Police Clearance Certificate

If you need a South African Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) for work, study, immigration, or travel abroad, we make the process fast and simple — even if you’re outside South Africa.

Applying for a SAPS Police Clearance on your own can be time-consuming and confusing. That’s why thousands of South Africans trust professional services like ours to speed up the process and ensure all legal requirements are met — without the hassle.

Processing Time for Police Clearance Certificate

While many sources online suggest you can complete the application on your own, the processing time for a police clearance certificate can vary significantly. If applying in South Africa, it may take between 2 to 3 months, while applications made from abroad can take 3 to 6 months. The processing times, as stated by the Criminal Records Centre (CRC), depend on the duration and amount of accumulated applications at your local SAPS prior to it being submitted at CRC.

In certain cases, it may be possible to expedite the process for obtaining a Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) from South Africa, especially for urgent requests. You can inquire with your Visa Consultant here at Road2Asia about the possibility of submitting high-quality fingerprint scans via WhatsApp or Email. This method, which mirrors the approach used by SAPS, could help you avoid the time and expense of sending physical documents through a courier. Our processing times varies from 7 days – 28 days.

How to Expedite Your Police Clearance Certificate Application

To apply for a South African Police Service (SAPS) Police Clearance Certificate (commonly referred to as a PCC), you will need to submit a set of complete fingerprints and proof of identity. Acceptable forms of identification include a certified South African ID or a valid passport from any country. Additionally, a completed application form is required. The fingerprint form must include your full names, surname, identity number, date of birth, and place of birth. For instructions on how to complete the SAPS 91(a) form, please refer to the provided guide.

In South Africa, a police officer or SAPS staff member typically assists with fingerprinting. However, fingerprints can be taken by any qualified individual, such as a lawyer, commissioner of oaths, or even a company representative, as long as they stamp the form accordingly.

If you need an urgent police clearance certificate, we can assist with the process. Have your fingerprints taken at a local police station or fingerprinting service, and we will manage the submission of your documents to the Pretoria Criminal Records Centre (CRC) for processing. You can choose to collect the document in person or have it delivered via local or international courier.

Costs of Obtaining a Police Clearance Certificate

The total cost of a South African Police Clearance Certificate depends on where you’re applying from and how urgently you need the document.

If you’re applying from within South Africa, or from abroad, please select the appropriate option above to view tailored pricing. You will also need to choose your preferred processing time, 7–14 working days for expedited service or 21–28 working days for standard service.

Each selection will update your total based on location, courier fees, and document handling.

Common Issues with Police Clearance Certificates

When you receive your South African Police Clearance Certificate (PCC), you will notice it is a secure, official document. It is printed on special paper designed to prevent forgery and is stamped and signed for authenticity. The certificate is typically one page long, unless you have prior convictions, in which case additional pages will be added.

The document contains several important numbers for SAPS use, such as the enquiry number, transaction number, and SAPS number. The SAPS logo, which features yellow-gold and blue colors, is centered at the top, with the personal details of the certificate holder listed below. It’s important to note that neither a South African ID number nor a passport number appears on the certificate.

Reviewing Your Police Clearance Certificate

Upon receiving your PCC, it is essential to carefully check all details to ensure accuracy. Pay particular attention to the following:

1. Date Stamp and Authenticity: The date stamp is critical because some countries only accept the certificate as valid for a limited period, such as 3 months (e.g., Spain). Even if the document is apostilled, the validity period can be restricted.

2. Signature and Stamp of SAPS Official: The certificate must be signed by a SAPS official (usually a sergeant or commander), whose signature is recognized by the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) for apostille or authentication purposes.

Why Choose Our Service for Your Police Clearance Certificate?

• Apply from anywhere – inside or outside South Africa
• No physical forms required – digital-only process
• Turnaround: 7 to 28 working days
• Fully tracked and legally compliant
• No delays due to SAPS system changes or new procedures

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Police Clearance Certificates

Apostille or Authentication for International Use

For international use, the authenticity of your police clearance certificate may need to be verified through an apostille or embassy authentication, depending on the country or authority requesting the document. The apostille confirms the validity of the certificate for use abroad.

Common Mistakes on Police Clearance Certificates

Since the certificates are often typed by hand, errors can occur. Common mistakes include incorrect titles (e.g., Mr. or Ms.), misspelled names, or incorrect maiden names. If an error is identified, and you applied individually, you would need to restart the entire application process. However, if you use our services, we can facilitate a corrected reprint within a few days.

Important Information on Maiden and Surnames

Please be aware that only one maiden name and one surname can be listed on the Police Clearance Certificate. Ensure these details are accurate to avoid complications later.

Conclusion

The South African Police Clearance Certificate is a critical document for various applications, both domestically and internationally. Always double-check your certificate for accuracy, ensure it is properly authenticated if needed, and understand the validity requirements of the authorities you are dealing with.

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Ready to Apply?

Download the SAPS Fingerprints Police Clearance Form and SAPS Application Form. Thereafter, add this service to your cart to start your SAPS Police Clearance process today.