Police Clearance Certificate Application in South Africa: Complete SAPS Guide
A South African Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) is issued by SAPS Criminal Record and Crime Scene Management in Pretoria and confirms whether criminal convictions are recorded against the applicant. If you are applying from South Africa, you need a full set of fingerprints, a completed application, a certified copy of your ID document or passport and proof of payment. The current SAPS fee is R190 per application. SAPS states that finalisation takes approximately 15 working days after all required documents reach Criminal Record and Crime Scene Management, excluding delivery time, although current backlogs can extend the total waiting period.
A Police Clearance Certificate is commonly required when applying for immigration, a foreign visa, residence permit, overseas employment, citizenship or another process where an official South African criminal-record check is requested.
The SAPS Police Clearance Certificate is based on fingerprints. It is not simply an online search using your name or identity number.
This guide explains the complete application process, including documents, fingerprints, payment, applications from South Africa and abroad, processing time, status checks, collection, criminal records and using a PCC outside South Africa.
You can also browse the Certificate category for other South African certificate guides.
What Is a Police Clearance Certificate?
A South African Police Clearance Certificate is an official document issued by the South African Police Service’s Criminal Record and Crime Scene Management (CR & CSM) division in Pretoria.
The certificate confirms whether criminal convictions have been recorded against the applicant after SAPS checks the person’s fingerprints against its criminal-record system.
Your local SAPS station can take fingerprints and forward your application, but the final Police Clearance Certificate is processed and issued by Criminal Record and Crime Scene Management in Pretoria.
What Does a Police Clearance Certificate Show?
The certificate states whether criminal convictions are recorded against the applicant. The check is based on fingerprints rather than only the applicant’s name or ID number.
SAPS does not accept scanned or photocopied fingerprints for the formal Police Clearance Certificate application.
Who Usually Needs a Police Clearance Certificate?
A Police Clearance Certificate may be requested for:
- Emigration.
- Visa applications.
- Permanent or temporary residence abroad.
- Foreign employment.
- Citizenship applications.
- International security declarations.
- Foreign professional-registration requirements.
- Other applications requiring official South African criminal-record confirmation.
An employer asking for a background check may not always require the same formal SAPS Police Clearance Certificate used for immigration or foreign government applications.
Documents Required for a Police Clearance Certificate
| Requirement | What you need |
|---|---|
| Fingerprints | A full set of fingerprints. Applicants in South Africa normally use the SAPS 91(a) fingerprint form. |
| Identification | A certified copy of your South African ID document or passport. |
| Original ID | Take your original ID document or passport when your identity is verified at the police station. |
| Application information | Full personal details required for the Police Clearance Certificate application. |
| Previous surname evidence | Documentary proof if a maiden or previous surname must appear on the PCC. |
| Payment | Proof that the prescribed SAPS Police Clearance Certificate fee has been paid. |
Fingerprint Requirements
Applying in South Africa
Visit a SAPS police station and have a full set of fingerprints taken on the SAPS 91(a) fingerprint form.
Applying from outside South Africa
Applicants living abroad can generally have fingerprints taken at an appropriate police station in their country of residence or through a South African embassy where fingerprinting services are offered.
Do not email or submit a scan of your fingerprint sheet as the formal fingerprint evidence. SAPS requires acceptable original fingerprint documentation.
How to Apply for a Police Clearance Certificate in South Africa
Take your original South African ID document or passport.
SAPS will take a full set of fingerprints on the SAPS 91(a) fingerprint form.
Make sure names, ID or passport details, date of birth and contact information are correct.
Make sure the copy is clear and matches the information supplied with the application.
Keep proof of payment and include it with your application.
The police station can forward it, or you can send or deliver it directly to Criminal Record and Crime Scene Management.
Your PCC reference number is important when checking the progress of the application.
Can You Send the Application Directly to Pretoria?
Yes. You can ask the police station to forward your completed application or arrange delivery to SAPS Criminal Record and Crime Scene Management yourself.
Possible delivery methods include:
- Forwarding through the police station.
- Personal delivery.
- Postal delivery.
- Courier delivery at your own cost.
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
Courier / Physical 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
How to Apply for a South African Police Clearance Certificate From Abroad
You can apply for a South African Police Clearance Certificate even if you no longer live in South Africa.
Your application will generally need:
- A full set of acceptable original fingerprints.
- A completed Police Clearance Certificate application.
- A certified copy of your ID document or passport.
- Proof of maiden or previous surnames if they need to appear.
- Proof of payment of the SAPS PCC fee.
- Clear collection or courier arrangements for the completed certificate.
Embassy and consular procedures can differ by country. Check whether an appointment is required before visiting a South African mission for fingerprints or document certification.
What If You Need a Maiden or Previous Surname on the PCC?
Tell SAPS when applying if a maiden name or previous surname needs to appear on the Police Clearance Certificate.
Provide documentary evidence supporting the previous surname. A marriage certificate can be relevant where the surname changed because of marriage.
If you need another copy of your marriage document, see our Marriage Certificates guide .
How Much Does a Police Clearance Certificate Cost?
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Police Clearance Certificate application | R190 |
| Police Clearance Report for expungement-related purposes | R95 |
Older websites may show historical Police Clearance Certificate fees. Confirm the current amount on SAPS’s official PCC page before making payment.
How to Pay the Police Clearance Certificate Fee
SAPS permits payment using the payment methods stated on its current Police Clearance Certificate application page.
| Bank | ABSA |
| Account type | Cheque account |
| Account number | 4054522787 |
| Branch code | 632005 |
| SWIFT code | ABSAZAJJXXX |
| Account holder | National Commissioner of the South African Police Service |
| Payment reference | PCC followed by the applicant’s initials and surname |
Keep your proof of payment and submit it with the Police Clearance Certificate application.
How Long Does a Police Clearance Certificate Take?
SAPS states that a complete application takes approximately 15 working days from the date all required documents are received by Criminal Record and Crime Scene Management.
This stated processing period does not include postal, courier or other delivery time.
SAPS is also reporting a backlog in Police Clearance Certificate processing, which means actual waiting periods can be longer.
Delivery time, missing documents and SAPS backlogs can extend the overall time between taking fingerprints and receiving the final certificate.
If You Have an Immigration or Employment Deadline
Apply as early as possible. A PCC is often one of several documents required for an overseas application, so waiting until the final few weeks can create unnecessary risk.
How to Check Your Police Clearance Certificate Status
SAPS provides an official online Police Clearance Certificate status enquiry.
Depending on your application, the system can use your PCC reference information together with identifying information such as your South African ID number or date of birth.
Check your application here: Official SAPS Police Clearance Certificate Status Enquiry .
The reference number is one of the most useful pieces of information when tracking or following up on your application.
Will SAPS Send You an SMS?
If a South African cellphone number is provided with the application, SAPS can send application notifications by SMS.
These may include:
- Confirmation that the application has been received.
- Your Police Clearance Certificate reference number.
- A notification when processing is completed.
What If You Do Not Receive an SMS?
Do not immediately submit another application.
First check whether:
- The cellphone number supplied was correct.
- The application has reached Pretoria.
- You have a courier, police-station or other submission reference.
- Your PCC can be found through the online status enquiry.
How Do You Receive the Completed Certificate?
The completed certificate can be collected according to the arrangement recorded in the application.
The certificate may be released to:
- The applicant.
- A person nominated by the applicant.
- A courier service selected by the applicant.
If the certificate is returned to the police station where you applied, take appropriate identification when collecting it.
What Happens If You Do Not Collect the Certificate?
SAPS states that Police Clearance Certificates that are not collected within three months after finalisation can be destroyed.
Once your PCC is finalised, arrange collection as soon as reasonably possible.
Can SAPS Email a Police Clearance Certificate?
SAPS states that completed Police Clearance Certificates are not scanned and emailed to applicants.
If someone promises an emailed document as a replacement for the formal SAPS-issued certificate, confirm the service directly with SAPS before relying on it.
Can You Get a PCC If You Have a Criminal Record?
A Police Clearance Certificate does not automatically mean that a person has no criminal history.
Its purpose is to report whether criminal convictions are recorded against the applicant.
If a conviction is recorded, the organisation receiving the certificate decides how that information affects the person’s visa, employment, immigration or other application.
What If SAPS Identifies the Applicant as Wanted?
SAPS states that a Police Clearance Certificate will not be issued when an applicant is identified as wanted by the South African Police Service.
This is different from simply having an old conviction recorded on a criminal record.
Police Clearance Certificate vs Police Clearance Report
| Document | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Police Clearance Certificate | Commonly required for immigration, foreign employment, visas, emigration and residence applications. |
| Police Clearance Report | Used for criminal-record status confirmation in connection with applications for expungement of qualifying criminal records. |
A Police Clearance Report for expungement purposes should not automatically be used when an embassy or immigration authority specifically asks for a SAPS Police Clearance Certificate.
How Long Is a Police Clearance Certificate Valid?
There is no single validity period that applies to every organisation requesting a PCC.
The embassy, employer, immigration authority or other organisation receiving the document decides how recently it must have been issued.
For document legalisation through DIRCO, an original South African Police Clearance Certificate currently needs to be no older than six months.
Check the document-age requirement of the organisation receiving your PCC before deciding when to apply.
Do You Need an Apostille or Legalisation?
Possibly. Getting a Police Clearance Certificate from SAPS and legalising the certificate for use in another country are separate processes.
If the foreign authority asks for an apostille, authentication or legalisation, check the exact process required for that country.
DIRCO’s Legalisation Section accepts an original SAPS Police Clearance Certificate that meets its current document-age requirements.
Official information: DIRCO Legalisation Services .
Common Police Clearance Certificate Application Mistakes
1. Using an Old Fee
The current SAPS Police Clearance Certificate application fee is R190. Check the official SAPS page rather than relying on older articles.
2. Sending Scanned Fingerprints
The formal SAPS PCC application requires acceptable original fingerprint documentation.
3. Forgetting Proof of Payment
Include proof that the prescribed fee has been paid.
4. Forgetting a Maiden or Previous Surname
If another surname must appear, provide supporting documentation when applying.
5. Sending an Uncertified ID or Passport Copy
Include the identification documentation required by SAPS and ensure all details are clear.
6. Assuming the Local Police Station Issues the PCC
The certificate is processed and issued by SAPS Criminal Record and Crime Scene Management in Pretoria.
7. Assuming the 15 Working Days Includes Delivery
SAPS’s stated processing period begins after a complete application reaches the responsible unit and excludes delivery time.
8. Ignoring the Backlog
Current SAPS backlogs can make the total waiting period longer.
9. Not Collecting the Certificate
Uncollected certificates may be destroyed after the SAPS collection period.
10. Expecting SAPS to Email the PCC
The completed Police Clearance Certificate is not normally scanned and emailed to applicants.
Related South African Certificate Guides
Browse the Certificate category for South African birth, marriage, death and police clearance certificate guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is a Police Clearance Certificate in South Africa?
The current SAPS Police Clearance Certificate application fee is R190 per application.
Where do I apply for a Police Clearance Certificate?
If you are in South Africa, a SAPS police station can take your fingerprints and assist with the application. The final certificate is processed by Criminal Record and Crime Scene Management in Pretoria.
Do I need fingerprints for a South African PCC?
Yes. A Police Clearance Certificate is fingerprint based.
Can I submit scanned fingerprints?
No. SAPS requires acceptable original fingerprint documentation for the PCC application.
How long does a Police Clearance Certificate take?
SAPS states approximately 15 working days after all required documents reach Criminal Record and Crime Scene Management, excluding delivery time. Current backlogs can extend the actual waiting period.
How do I check my Police Clearance Certificate status?
Use the official SAPS online Police Clearance Certificate status enquiry with your reference and identifying information.
Will SAPS send an SMS?
Applicants who provide an eligible South African cellphone number may receive an acknowledgement, reference number and completion notification by SMS.
Can SAPS email my Police Clearance Certificate?
SAPS states that completed Police Clearance Certificates are not scanned and emailed to applicants.
Can someone else collect my PCC?
The certificate can be collected according to the authorised arrangement recorded with the application, including collection by a nominated person or courier where permitted.
What happens if I do not collect my certificate?
SAPS states that certificates not collected within three months after finalisation may be destroyed.
Can I apply from outside South Africa?
Yes. Applicants abroad can obtain acceptable fingerprints and submit the required documentation to SAPS in South Africa.
What if I need my maiden surname on the PCC?
Include the previous surname in your application and submit supporting documentary evidence.
Can I get a PCC if I have a criminal record?
A PCC reports whether criminal convictions are recorded. The organisation receiving the certificate decides how that information affects its application.
Is a Police Clearance Report the same as a PCC?
No. A Police Clearance Report is associated with criminal-record status confirmation for expungement purposes, while a PCC is the document commonly required for immigration and foreign applications.
How long is a Police Clearance Certificate valid?
The receiving organisation decides how recent the PCC must be. DIRCO currently requires an original PCC no older than six months for legalisation.
Official SAPS Sources and Contact Information
- SAPS: Applying for a Police Clearance Certificate
- SAPS: Police Clearance Certificate Status Enquiry
- South African Government: Apply for a Police Clearance Certificate
- DIRCO: Legalisation Services
SAPS PCC enquiries:
Telephone: +27 (0) 12 393 3928
Email: [email protected]
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