A Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) is an official document issued by the Criminal Record and Crime Scene Management (CR & CSM) that states whether or not an individual has any criminal convictions. This service is available to people who need to confirm their criminal status for emigration, travel, or employment abroad.
Criminal Record and Crime Scene Management in Pretoria is solely responsible for issuing a Police Clearance Certificate. The following documents must be provided by the applicant:
When living in South Africa, a full set of his/her fingerprints on a SAPS 91(a). The South African Police Service must collect the fingerprints. Individuals residing outside of South Africa may apply at any police station in that country or at the South African Embassy. Fingerprints must be taken on the appropriate country’s official fingerprint forms or, if available, on the SAPS 91(a) fingerprint enquiry form.
A completed application form is required.
A certified copy of the applicant’s identification card/passport At the police station, the applicant must present his or her identity document/passport as proof of identity.
If a maiden surname and/or other surnames are required on a Police Clearance Certificate, they must be mentioned in the application and documentary proof (for example, a certified copy of a marriage certificate) must be attached to the application.
Payment receipt. The prescribed fee per application is R160,00. The required non-refundable tariff is payable in cash at the nearest police station or electronically into the South African Police Service’s account in the name of the South African Police Service’s National Commissioner. The following are the banking details: ABSA cheque account number 4054522787; branch code 632005; Swift code ABSAZAJJXXX. In the case of an electronic payment, the letters “PCC” followed by the applicant’s initials and surname must be used as a reference.
Applicants living in other countries may send their applications and supporting documents directly to CR & CSM for processing. Applications from outside the United States will not be returned to the applicant. The applicant must track progress on the SAPS website and arrange for collection as specified on the application form. The certificate will only be given to the person nominated by the applicant or chosen courier service for security reasons. It should be noted that certificates that are not collected within three months of their completion will be destroyed.
Applicants living in South Africa may request that their applications be forwarded to CR & CSM in Pretoria at no additional cost. The applicant may also deliver the application in person to CR & CSM in Pretoria, or use a postal or courier service at his or her own expense. For security reasons, the certificate will only be handed over to the applicant or a person nominated by the applicant or the chosen courier service as indicated on the application form once completed. If the applicant requested that the certificate be returned to the police station, the responsible officer at the station must make certain that the certificate is handed over to the applicant in person. When collecting the certificate, proof of identity must be presented. It should be noted that certificates that are not collected within three months of their completion will be destroyed.
If the applicant includes his or her cell phone number (which is currently only available in South Africa) on the application for a Police Clearance Certificate, he or she will receive an SMS acknowledging receipt of the application as well as the reference number assigned to his or her certificate. Following the completion of the application, a follow-up SMS will be sent. While the application is being processed, the applicant can check the status of the application by visiting the SAPS website.
Incomplete applications will not be processed, and the applicant will be notified via SMS.
No copies or scanned versions of fingerprints will be processed for security reasons. In addition, completed certificates will not be scanned and emailed to applicants.
Applications are processed in about 15 working days after all required documents are received at Criminal Record and Crime Scene Management. This time frame does not include postal time.
Please keep in mind that if an applicant is marked as “Wanted” by the South African Police Service, no Police Clearance Certificate will be issued.
A Police Clearance Report (PCR) is available to people who need confirmation of their criminal status in order to have a criminal record expunged. Any Local Criminal Record Centre can provide this report (LCRC). The prescribed fee per report is R75,00. Upon collection, the applicant must be given the Police Clearance Report in person. When the report is collected, identification must be presented.
How do I obtain a South African police clearance from another country?
At the police station where your fingerprints will be taken, you must provide your full name, surname, date of birth, and identity document or passport to the officers. If you are not a South African citizen, you may apply at any police station in that country or at the South African Embassy.
How long do police clearance certificates last?
Unless otherwise specified, a police clearance is only valid for six months from the date it is issued. As a result, it is critical to time when you obtain police clearances so that you do not have out-of-date documentation.
How much time does it take to obtain a police clearance certificate?
Allow yourself at least one calendar month to obtain any police clearance certificate from abroad. This timeline may be extended if you are applying for a police clearance certificate from a country where you no longer reside or if original fingerprints are required.
