Police Clearance Certificates Requirements

If you need official confirmation of your South African criminal-record status for employment abroad, travel, emigration, or similar checks, this section is the right starting point. Police clearance certificates are not handled by Home Affairs. They are issued by the South African Police Service through Criminal Record and Crime Scene Management in Pretoria.

Use this hub to choose the correct police-clearance page before you book fingerprints, pay the fee, or send documents to Pretoria.

Key requirements for Police Clearance Certificates

Who this section is for

This section is for:

applicants needing a police clearance certificate for work, study, travel, or emigration
South Africans applying from within the country
South Africans living abroad who need to apply through a foreign police station, embassy, or mission route
people who need fingerprint guidance, status tracking, or a document checklist
users comparing the main requirements page with a more detailed how-to guide

Core requirement pages

Use the page that fits your step:

Documents, fees, and processing times for Police Clearance Certificates

SAPS says the application must include:

a full set of fingerprints on SAPS 91(a) when you are living in South Africa
a completed application form
a certified copy of your identity document or passport, while presenting the original for verification
documentary proof if you need a maiden surname or another surname reflected on the certificate
proof of payment

SAPS also states that the prescribed fee is R190 per application. For timing, SAPS says finalisation takes about 15 working days from the date all required documents are received by Criminal Record and Crime Scene Management in Pretoria, excluding postal time. SAPS also warns that backlog pressure can extend the waiting period, so this should be treated as a working estimate rather than a guaranteed deadline.

How to apply for Police Clearance Certificates

A practical route is:

Get the correct fingerprints taken.
Complete the SAPS application form fully.
Pay the prescribed PCC fee and keep proof of payment.
Submit through your nearest police station, or deliver/send the application to Pretoria if that route fits your case.
Track progress through SAPS status channels.
Arrange compliant collection once the certificate is finalised.

For South African applicants, a local police station can forward the application to Pretoria at no extra cost to the applicant. Applicants abroad can send the application directly to the Pretoria unit, but should follow the SAPS rules for fingerprints and collection.

Special cases and related pages for Police Clearance Certificates

The most common special cases are:

applying from outside South Africa
surname history that must appear on the certificate
fingerprint problems or incomplete fingerprint packs
status checks during processing
difference between a Police Clearance Certificate and a Police Clearance Report

SAPS also states that incomplete applications will not be processed, and that scanned fingerprints or copied fingerprint pages are not accepted for security reasons.

FAQs about Police Clearance Certificates

Which office actually issues the certificate?

SAPS says the sole issuing authority is Criminal Record and Crime Scene Management in Pretoria.

How much is the PCC fee?

SAPS states the prescribed fee is R190 per application.

How long does it take?

SAPS gives an approximate finalisation time of 15 working days once all required documents are received, excluding postal time.

Can SAPS email me the completed certificate?

No. SAPS states that completed certificates are not scanned and emailed to applicants.

Best next step

Open Police Clearance Certificate Requirements in South Africa or How to Apply for a Police Clearance Certificate in South Africa.