How to get a police clearance certificate in South Africa

A police clearance certificate (PCC) — sometimes called a criminal record clearance — confirms whether you have a criminal record on the South African Police Service's system. Many government job adverts, especially in security, health, education, finance and childcare related posts, ask shortlisted candidates to provide one. It's issued by SAPS Criminal Record and Crime Scene Management (CR & CSM), not by any private company.

Who actually needs one

Not every applicant needs a PCC upfront. Most government adverts only require it from candidates who are shortlisted or who receive a conditional offer — read the specific advert's wording rather than applying for one speculatively. Some sectors (SAPS itself, correctional services, schools, and posts involving access to children, firearms or large sums of money) are more likely to ask for it earlier in the process.

The application process

The certificate is applied for in person at a police station — there is no way to complete the fingerprint step remotely, since SAPS requires physical fingerprints taken by an official. In broad terms:

Go to your nearest police station with your green barcoded ID book, smart ID card, or passport (for foreign nationals or South Africans living abroad).
Have your fingerprints taken on the official SAPS fingerprint form — a SAPS 91(a) — by the station's designated official.
Pay the prescribed fee — SAPS states this is payable in cash at the police station, or by electronic transfer into the SAPS bank account, using your name as reference.
Provide a cellphone number if you have one — SAPS sends an SMS acknowledging your reference number, and a second SMS once the certificate is ready.
If you go by a maiden name or have used other surnames, say so on the application and attach proof (for example a certified copy of your marriage certificate) — otherwise the certificate may not reflect all the names your record is checked under.

On the fee: don't rely on any number you find online, including this guide. The prescribed PCC fee changes from time to time and different sources online quote different current amounts. Confirm the exact fee, and how to pay it, at saps.gov.za or at the police station where you apply, and only pay in cash at the station or into SAPS's own bank account — never to an individual or a third-party "agent."

How long it takes

SAPS states that finalisation takes approximately 15 working days from the date all required documents reach CR & CSM in Pretoria. In practice, applicants and government departments commonly report considerably longer waits, especially when the station posts fingerprint forms rather than processing them electronically, or during periods of high demand. Build in extra time — if a closing date or start date depends on your PCC arriving, apply as early as the advert or your appointment process allows, and don't wait until the last moment.

You can check your application's status using the reference number SAPS gives you, through the channels listed on the SAPS website. SAPS does not email or scan completed certificates to applicants — the original is issued as a physical document.

Applying from outside South Africa

South Africans and foreign nationals living abroad can generally apply through a South African embassy, high commission or consulate, or by having fingerprints taken at a local police station and forwarding the application and documents directly to SAPS CR & CSM. Requirements and channels vary by country — confirm the current process with your nearest South African mission or with SAPS directly before starting.

Avoiding scams

Only SAPS issues a genuine police clearance certificate. Be wary of any website, agent or WhatsApp contact offering to "fast-track" or issue a PCC for a fee outside the official SAPS channel — see how to spot a job scam in South Africa for the same red flags applied to document and clearance scams.

See how to apply for government jobs, how to fill in the Z83 form, and what to expect in a government job interview.

Sources last checked 30 July 2026. Government forms, closing dates and requirements change — always confirm the current version and instructions with the DPSA circular or the employer's own advert before applying. iSebenza is a jobs aggregator, not the employer, and does not process applications — see Terms & source policy.