Apply for Police Clearance Certificate South Africa

To apply for a South African Police Clearance Certificate (PCC), you must have a full set of fingerprints taken on a SAPS 91(a) form at your nearest South African Police Service (SAPS) station or foreign embassy, submit a certified copy of your ID or passport, and pay the non-refundable R190 application fee. Applications are processed centrally by the SAPS Criminal Record and Crime Scene Management (CR & CSM) Centre in Pretoria, and progress can be tracked online via the official SAPS portal.

What Is a South African Police Clearance Certificate?

A Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) is an official document issued by the South African Police Service (SAPS). It provides formal confirmation of whether an individual has a recorded criminal history or outstanding convictions in South Africa.

This document is frequently required for:

• Foreign visa, residency, and citizenship applications.
• International employment, teaching contracts, or overseas transfers.
• Professional registrations, corporate background screenings, and security clearances.
• Adoption procedures and legal compliance checks.

Required Documents for Application

Before visiting a police station or submitting an application from abroad, ensure you have the following mandatory documents:

• Official Fingerprint Form: A full set of fingerprints taken on the standard SAPS 91(a) form (or the equivalent official fingerprint form if applying abroad).
• Proof of Identity: A certified copy of your South African green bar-coded ID book, smart ID card, or a valid passport.
• Proof of Payment: An official SAPS receipt if paid in person, or an EFT bank confirmation slip showing the transaction reference.
• Proof of Previous/Maiden Names (if applicable): A certified copy of your marriage certificate or deed poll documentation if you require previous or maiden surnames to be reflected on the certificate.
• Cover Letter / Application Form: Detailing your full legal names, surname, date of birth, place of birth, identity/passport number, contact information, and preferred collection method.

Costs and Payment Details

The statutory fee for a South African Police Clearance Certificate is R190.00 per application. This fee is non-refundable.

Payment Methods

• Domestic Applications: Payable in cash or card at the local SAPS station where fingerprints are taken.
• Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) / International Applications: Payable directly into the official SAPS bank account:
  • Bank: ABSA Bank
  • Account Name: South African Police Service
  • Account Number: 4054522787
  • Branch Code: 632005
  • SWIFT Code: ABSAZAJJXXX
  • Payment Reference: Must be written as PCC followed by your initials and surname (e.g., PCC J DOE).

How to Apply: Step-by-Step Guide

Option 1: Applying Within South Africa

1. Visit a SAPS Station: Go to your nearest South African police station with your original ID or passport.
2. Have Fingerprints Taken: A police official will take your ink fingerprints on the SAPS 91(a) form.
3. Pay the Fee: Pay the R190 application fee at the station cashier and retain your official receipt.
4. Choose Submission Method:
   • Direct Station Dispatch: The local station can forward your documents to the Criminal Record Centre (CRC) in Pretoria via internal post.
   • Self-Courier/Hand Delivery: You can take the completed fingerprint form, receipt, and certified ID copy and courier it directly to the CRC Client Service Centre in Pretoria for faster transit.

Option 2: Applying From Abroad (Expats & Foreign Nationals)

1. Take Fingerprints: Visit your local police station in your host country or a South African Embassy/High Commission. Fingerprints can be recorded on the host country’s official form or an exported SAPS 91(a) form.
2. Make the Payment: Complete an electronic bank transfer of R190 to the SAPS ABSA account using the required reference format (PCC Initials Surname).
3. Courier Application to Pretoria: Send your complete application package via international courier to:

Criminal Record and Crime Scene Management (CR & CSM)

Sanlam Plaza West, CRC Client Service Centre

1st Floor, 271 Schoeman Street

Pretoria, 0002, South Africa

(Postal: Private Bag X308, Pretoria, 0001)

Processing Times and Tracking

Official processing times generally take between 15 working days and several weeks, depending on current processing backlogs at the Criminal Record Centre.

Tracking Your Application

Once the CRC receives and registers your application, a reference/enquiry number is generated and typically sent via SMS if a valid South African mobile number was provided. You can check the current status of your certificate at any time via the SAPS Clearance Status Tracking Portal by entering your ID number, passport number, or application reference number.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is a South African Police Clearance Certificate valid for?

SAPS clearance certificates do not have a printed expiry date. However, most foreign embassies, immigration departments, and employers consider a PCC valid for only 6 to 12 months from the date of issue, as it only certifies your record up to the day of printing.

Can I apply for a Police Clearance Certificate entirely online?

No. You cannot complete the entire application online because South African law requires an in-person physical fingerprint capture on an official fingerprint form. However, you can track the status of your processing application online via the SAPS website.

How do I include my maiden name on the certificate?

If you require your maiden surname or previous legal names to appear on the clearance certificate, you must explicitly state them on your application form and provide a certified copy of your marriage certificate or legal name change documentation.

Can a courier or representative collect the certificate on my behalf?

Yes. To have a representative, family member, or courier service collect your PCC from the CRC in Pretoria, you must provide them with a signed letter of authorization, a certified copy of your ID/passport, and the representative must present their own original ID.

What happens if I do not collect my certificate after it is finalized?

Certificates that are finalized and not collected within three months from the completion date are routinely destroyed by the Criminal Record Centre for security and privacy reasons. If your certificate is destroyed, you will need to submit a brand new application and pay the fee again.

Does a South African Police Clearance Certificate need an apostille?

If you are submitting the clearance certificate to authorities in a foreign country that is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention, it typically requires an Apostille certificate from the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) or the High Court to be legally recognized abroad.