To apply for a Police Clearance Certificate in South Africa, you generally need to have your fingerprints taken by the South African Police Service (SAPS), complete the required application, provide a certified copy of your ID document or passport, and include proof of payment. The application is processed by SAPS Criminal Record and Crime Scene Management in Pretoria.
Before applying, check the current SAPS requirements and make sure your documents, fingerprints and payment details are correct. If you are preparing several official documents, the Civic Documents South Africa section can help you identify related requirements.
Quick Answer: How to Apply for Police Clearance Certificate South Africa
If you live in South Africa, start at a SAPS police station. SAPS requires a full set of fingerprints on the SAPS 91(a) form, and the fingerprints must be taken by SAPS. You must also provide a completed application form, a certified copy of your ID document or passport, and proof of payment.
Once the application pack is complete, you can ask the police station to forward it to Criminal Record and Crime Scene Management in Pretoria at no additional forwarding cost. You may alternatively deliver it personally or use a postal or courier service at your own expense.
For the broader checklist before starting, see the Police Clearance Certificate Requirements South Africa guide.
Who This Requirement Applies To
A South African Police Clearance Certificate confirms whether criminal convictions have been recorded against an individual. SAPS states that the service is available to people who need confirmation of their criminal status for purposes such as emigration, travel or employment abroad.
Applicant type
The application route differs depending on where you are when you apply:
- Applicants in South Africa: fingerprints must be taken by SAPS.
- Applicants outside South Africa: fingerprints may be taken at a police station in that country or at a South African Embassy, using the applicable country’s official fingerprint form or the SAPS 91(a) form where available.
If you are applying from another country, use the dedicated Police Clearance From Abroad South Africa guide rather than assuming the South African submission process applies unchanged.
Eligibility Requirements
A Police Clearance Certificate is not limited to one type of South African applicant. The important question is whether the organisation, authority, employer or foreign government dealing with your application requires a SAPS-issued certificate.
Before applying, confirm:
- that a South African Police Clearance Certificate is the document requested;
- whether the receiving authority requires any previous surnames to appear;
- how recently issued the certificate must be for your particular application; and
- whether further authentication or legalisation will be required after the certificate is issued.
For immigration-related applications, requirements may differ by destination and visa category. See Police Clearance for Visa South Africa for that specific use case.
Documents You May Need
SAPS currently lists the following as part of a Police Clearance Certificate application:
- a full set of fingerprints;
- a duly completed application form;
- a certified copy of your identity document or passport; and
- proof of payment.
Required proof
When having your fingerprints taken, take your ID document or passport with you because SAPS requires proof of identity at the police station.
If you need a maiden surname or another previous surname reflected on the certificate, state this in the application and provide documentary proof. SAPS gives a certified copy of a marriage certificate as one example of supporting evidence.
Do not send photocopied or scanned fingerprints. SAPS specifically states that copies or scanned versions of fingerprints will not be processed.
Steps to Apply or Prepare
- Confirm why you need the certificate. Check the requirements of the employer, embassy, immigration authority or other organisation requesting it.
- Prepare your identification. Take your ID document or passport and arrange a certified copy for the application.
- Visit SAPS for fingerprints. Applicants living in South Africa must have a full set of fingerprints taken by SAPS on the SAPS 91(a) form.
- Complete the application form. Ensure your personal information and any relevant previous surnames are recorded correctly.
- Pay the prescribed fee. As at August 2026, the SAPS application page lists a non-refundable fee of R190 per application. It may be paid in cash at the nearest police station or electronically using the payment details published by SAPS. Confirm the current amount and payment instructions before paying.
- Submit the complete application. Applicants in South Africa can request that the police station forward the application to Criminal Record and Crime Scene Management in Pretoria, or arrange their own delivery, post or courier.
- Track the application. Where a South African cellphone number is supplied, SAPS says applicants can receive an SMS acknowledging receipt and providing a reference number, followed by another SMS when the application is completed. Application progress can also be checked through the SAPS status-enquiry service.
Costs, Processing Times and Validity
The current SAPS fee is R190 per Police Clearance Certificate application. Because official tariffs can change, verify the fee on the SAPS website before submitting payment.
SAPS states that finalisation takes approximately 15 working days from the date all required documents are receivedby Criminal Record and Crime Scene Management. This does not include postal time. SAPS is also currently warning applicants of a backlog that can extend the waiting period, so the 15-working-day timeframe should not be treated as a guaranteed completion date.
The period for which a certificate will be accepted can depend on the organisation or country requesting it. Check the receiving authority’s rules before applying, particularly if your application has a deadline.
Common Mistakes and Delays
Applications are more likely to be delayed when information or documents are incomplete. SAPS states that incomplete applications will not be processed.
Common mistake
Avoid:
- submitting scanned or copied fingerprints;
- forgetting the certified ID or passport copy;
- omitting proof of payment;
- leaving out previous surnames that must appear on the certificate;
- assuming the processing estimate includes courier or postal time; or
- relying on old fee or application information found on third-party websites.
Also make collection arrangements carefully. SAPS states that completed certificates are not scanned and emailed to applicants, and certificates that are not collected within three months after finalisation are destroyed.
Where to Confirm Official Requirements
Always confirm the latest application requirements directly with the South African Police Service before submitting your documents. SAPS Criminal Record and Crime Scene Management is responsible for issuing the Police Clearance Certificate, while Requirements.co.za provides independent guidance to help you prepare.
Related guide
For an overview of this document category, continue to Police Clearance Certificates Requirements South Africa. For the detailed preparation checklist, use Police Clearance Certificate Requirements South Africa.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the requirements for How to Apply for Police Clearance Certificate South Africa?
You generally need a full set of fingerprints, a completed application form, a certified copy of your ID document or passport, and proof of payment. Applicants in South Africa must have their fingerprints taken by SAPS.
What documents are needed?
SAPS currently requires fingerprints, the application form, a certified ID or passport copy and proof of payment. Additional evidence may be necessary if you want a maiden or other previous surname included on the certificate.
How long does it take?
SAPS gives an approximate finalisation period of 15 working days after all required documents reach Criminal Record and Crime Scene Management, excluding postal time. A current backlog may extend the actual waiting period.
Where can I confirm the latest official rules?
Confirm the latest Police Clearance Certificate requirements, fee, processing information and application arrangements directly through the official SAPS Police Clearance Certificate service before applying.