SOUTH AFRICAN POLICE CLEARANCE CERTIFICATE

The application for a Police Clearance Certificate is a personal matter that the applicant must attend to and the issuing of the a Clearance Certificate is the sole responsibility of the South African Police Services - Criminal Record Centre in Pretoria.

Procedures on how to apply for a South African Police Clearance Certificate

1. Applicants must forward applications/requests directly to the SAPS - Criminal Record Centre in Pretoria.



2. If forwarded from abroad, the application may be forwarded via any reputable
   courier company.  The courier company must be PREPAID to collect the documents from the Criminal Record Centre and return the documents to the sender.



3. It is important to find out whether the requesting authority would need the police clearance certificate to be legalised.  It will save time and money to submit the original Police Clearance Certificate to the Department of International Relations and Cooperation - Legalisation Section before it is returned to the applicant.  Applicants must specify this in their application to the SAPS - Criminal Record Centre.  Refer to http://www.dirco.gov.za/consular/legalisation.htm for further information regarding legalisation (authentication) of official documentation.



4. The South African Embassy can only to assist to take fingerprints.  The applicant is responsible to forward the application/request for a Police Clearance Certificate directly to the SAPS - Criminal Record Centre in Pretoria.



5. There is no specific application form available from the SAPS, however the following information must be contained in the applicant’s letter/request addressed to the SAPS - Criminal Record Centre when submitting their application for a Police Clearance Certificate or refer to Annex 23B (Application for a Police Clearance Certificate) which has been designed to facilitate inquiries.  The following details are required:
   
   a) Surname
   b) Maiden name (if applicable, also specify in which surname the certificate should to be issued)
   c) Given names
   d) Date of birth
   e) Place of birth
   f) South African ID number (if applicable)
   g) Last residential address in South Africa
   h) Last SA business / employer's address
   i) Telephone number of the above (h)
   j) Date
   k) Signature
   l) Mailing address in the country of application
   m) Zip/Postal Code
   n) Telephone number



6. An application, consisting of the written request (containing abovementioned information), full set of fingerprints, and copy of ID document/passport and proof of payment must be forwarded directly to the SAPS - Criminal Record Centre in Pretoria.  Fingerprints can be done by your closest Police Station or South African Embassy in Seoul.



7. The application has to be accompanied by:


• A fee of ZAR59-00 (either a South African bank guaranteed cheque, bankers draft, money order, or electronic payment into the South African Police Service account made payable to the South African Police Service, is acceptable).  Note:  It is advisable not to forward cash with the application.
• A self-addressed and franked envelope if you want the application to be returned to you by post



8. The application, copy of ID document/passport, original fingerprints and fee, should be forwarded by the applicant to:
   
   The Head (Attention:  Police Clearance Certificates)
   Criminal Record Centre - SAPS
   1st Floor, Room 14 Botongo Plaza West
   271 Schoeman Street
   Pretoria, 0001
   Republic of South Africa
   
   Tel. No's. (012) 393-3928  
   Fax No. (012) 393-3909



9. Office hours are from 07:30 to 16:00 (Monday to Friday).



10. The average time to render the service will take approximately twenty one (21) working days from the day that the complete application is received at the Pretoria Criminal Record Centre (SAPS) until the Clearance Certificate is issued.



• Click on the following to download the forms:
  1. Application for a police clearance certificate (Annex 23 B) : http://www.dfa.gov.za/consular/annex_23_b.doc
  2. Fingerprints form (scanned copy). Please contact the Embassy to obtain a better quality copy of the form.