How to Replace a Lost, Damaged, or Stolen Matric Certificate
The process for replacing a lost, stolen, or damaged Matric Certificate (Senior Certificate or National Senior Certificate) is handled by Umalusi and the Department of Basic Education (DBE). For all certificates issued, candidates are allowed a twelve month period from the date of issue for any corrections to be effected. A change to an original certificate will not be considered unless the original certificate (not replacement) is returned.
To change your name on your matric certificate, you must apply to the Department of Basic Education (DBE) or Provincial Education Department (PED) by completing the Re-issues application form. You must go to the nearest DBE/PED offices in person so that DBE/PED officials can interview you before they make the amendments.
Once a replacement certificate is issued, the original is cancelled and becomes invalid. The processing time is typically 4 to 6 weeks.
How to Apply
You have two official options to submit your application:
| Method | Process | Where to Go |
| Online | Register an account, upload required documents, and pay the fee online. | Umalusi Online Replacement Certificate System (or the South African e-Services Portal). |
| In-Person | Complete the application form manually and submit it with your documents and proof of payment. | Nearest Provincial Education Department (PED) Office or DBE District Office. |
Reasons for Re-Issue
Re-issue: Administrative errors
- Within the six-month period after certification (first issue), but not later than a year after the last examination, a request for a re-issue will be considered in cases where there is sufficient proof that the mistake on the certificate, either with regard to a subject mark, subject choice or a change in result, or some aspect of the personal details, is incorrect because of a registration error by the school or department.
Re-issue: Alteration of Sex Description and Sex Status
- In the situation where the Director – General of the Department of Home Affairs has granted an application in terms of the Alteration of Sex Description and Sex Status Act, 2003, and a person’s sex-description has been altered accordingly, the person may, through the Department of Basic Education or Provincial Education Department, make application for re-issue with a change of name/personal details (if requested), and a re-assignation of sex description on the Umalusi data-base.
Required Documents
You must prepare the following documents before starting the application, especially if applying online:
- Certified copies of the candidate’s old and new Identity Documents
- A detailed sworn statement (affidavit) by the candidate
- The original certificate
- A letter from the Department of Home Affairs confirming that it has, on behalf of the person in question, acted in terms of Section 27(A) of the Births and Death Registration Act, 1992, and that it has altered the sex description (and the names) of that person
- Application form obtainable from the DBE/PED.
For lost or damaged certificates
- An affidavit stating what happened to your certificate (i.e. if it is lost or damaged);
- The original national/ senior certificate (if it is damaged), this is not applicable if it is lost;
- A certified copy of your identity document (ID); and
- Proof of payment.
For combination of results
- Your results from all examination sittings;
- A certified copy of your Identity Document; and
- Proof of payment.
What you should do
- Pay the prescribed fee by postal order at the Post Office, cash at DBE/PED office or by cheque.
- Go to the nearest DBE/PED offices with the following documents:
- your original national/ senior certificate and a certified copy
- Identity document (ID) and a certified copy of your ID
- an affidavit stating the reasons for alteration (detailed one)
- confirmation letter from the Department of Home Affairs
- Birth certificate. If you don’t have a birth certificate you must bring a clinic card, baptismal certificate, or school report that states your name and date of birth.
- Alternatively you can download the form, fill it and post it with the attached documents, including the postal order or cheque, to: Private Bag X895, Pretoria, 0001.
Application Fees
The fee is subject to annual review and is paid to Umalusi or the DBE.
| Fee Type | Estimated Cost (2025/2026 Financial Year) | Notes |
| Replacement Certificate Fee | Approximately R170.00 | This is the base fee for the replacement certificate. |
| Courier Fee | Approximately R65.00 (optional) | Paid if you choose to have the certificate couriered to your physical address instead of collecting it in Pretoria. |
Important Notes
Correction/Alteration: If you need to correct personal details (like a name change) on the certificate, you must submit the original certificate and supporting documents (e.g., marriage certificate) to the DBE/PED office for processing.
Archived Records: If you wrote matric before 1992, your records may be archived, which can extend the processing time beyond the standard 4-6 weeks while they are retrieved.