If you are emigrating, applying for a work visa, or seeking permanent residency in another country, one of the first documents you will be asked to provide is a South African police clearance certificate. This document — officially issued by the South African Police Service (SAPS) — confirms whether or not you have a criminal record in South Africa, and it is required by immigration authorities, employers, and regulatory bodies in almost every country.
Getting your police clearance is not complicated, but it does require planning. Processing times can be lengthy, the document has a limited shelf life for most foreign authorities, and there is a specific apostille or legalisation process that must be followed before it will be accepted abroad.
What Is a SAPS Police Clearance Certificate?
A police clearance certificate (PCC) — sometimes called a criminal record check or criminal background check — is an official document issued by the SAPS Criminal Record Centre in Pretoria. It states either that no criminal convictions were found or, if convictions exist, it lists them.
The certificate is based on a fingerprint check against the SAPS criminal records database. It is the only official criminal record verification accepted by foreign governments from South Africa.
Who Needs a Police Clearance Certificate?
- Work visas — Most countries require a PCC from every country where the applicant has lived for a specified period
- Permanent residency and immigration — Nearly all immigration applications require a police clearance
- Citizenship applications
- Professional registration — Teaching, healthcare, finance, law enforcement
- Adoption — International adoption processes require police clearances from all adults in the household
- Student visas — Some countries require a PCC for long-term student visas
Countries That Commonly Request It
United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, United States, Germany and other EU member states, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Mauritius — among many others.
How to Apply for a Police Clearance Certificate
Applying From Within South Africa
Apply in person at the SAPS Criminal Record Centre in Pretoria (Bothongo Plaza West, 285 Francis Baard Street) or at designated SAPS service points.
What you need:
- A completed application form
- Your South African identity document or passport
- A full set of fingerprints (taken at the time of application)
- The applicable fee
You can also apply online through the SAPS online portal, though fingerprints must still be taken in person.
Applying From Abroad
Apply through the nearest South African embassy or consulate. The embassy will take your fingerprints and forward the application to the SAPS Criminal Record Centre. Be aware that this route adds transit time to the overall processing period.
Processing Times
SAPS processing times currently range from two to eight weeks. If applying through an embassy abroad, the total turnaround can be eight to twelve weeks or longer.
Given that most foreign authorities require the certificate to have been issued within the preceding six months (some require three months), timing your application correctly is essential.
The September 2024 DIRCO Change: What You Need to Know
In September 2024, DIRCO changed the apostille process for police clearance certificates. Previously, SAPS police clearance certificates were apostilled by the High Court. Under the new arrangement, police clearance certificates are now apostilled by DIRCO as the designated competent authority.
If you have been given older instructions that refer to taking your police clearance to the High Court for an apostille, that information is no longer correct.
The Apostille and Legalisation Process
Apostille (Hague Convention Countries)
For Hague Convention member countries — including the UK, Australia, EU member states, the UAE, and many others — the police clearance certificate requires an apostille certificate. Since September 2024, the apostille is issued by DIRCO in Pretoria.
DIRCO processing currently takes approximately five to ten working days.
Full Legalisation (Non-Hague Countries)
For non-Hague countries, the police clearance must go through full legalisation — authentication by DIRCO followed by legalisation at the relevant embassy or consulate.
Do You Need Notarisation Too?
A SAPS police clearance certificate is a government-issued document and generally does not need to be notarised before being apostilled. However, some foreign authorities may require a notarised copy in addition to the original. If unsure, check with the receiving authority or contact our office.
Tips for South Africans Already Living Abroad
- Apply through the nearest SA embassy or consulate — the only official route for obtaining fingerprints abroad
- Allow extra time — factor in at least eight to twelve weeks
- Apostille before leaving South Africa — if you know you will need a police clearance, get it sorted while you are still in the country
- Use a South African agent — our office regularly handles police clearance certificate apostille applications for clients abroad
- Check the validity window — confirm how recently the PCC must have been issued for your specific application
Police Clearance vs Criminal Record Expungement
If you have a criminal record that appears on your police clearance certificate, it may be possible to have it expunged under certain circumstances. Expungement is a separate legal process and must be completed before you apply for your police clearance if you want a clean certificate. This is a specialist area of law — seek legal advice if you believe you may qualify.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is a South African police clearance certificate valid for?
The certificate itself does not carry a fixed expiry date. However, most foreign authorities require it to have been issued within the preceding six months, and some require it to be no older than three months. Always check the specific requirement of the country you are applying to.
Can I get a police clearance certificate online?
You can begin the application process online through the SAPS online portal. However, fingerprints must still be taken in person at a SAPS office or South African embassy. The certificate cannot be issued without fingerprints.
Has the apostille process for police clearances changed?
Yes. Since September 2024, the apostille for SAPS police clearance certificates is issued by DIRCO, not the High Court. If you are following older instructions that direct you to the High Court, those are no longer correct.
Can someone apply for a police clearance certificate on my behalf?
No. The application requires a full set of your fingerprints, which must be taken in person. If you are abroad, apply through the nearest South African embassy or consulate.
What if my police clearance shows a criminal record?
If the certificate reflects a conviction, it will be disclosed to the foreign authority. Depending on the nature and age of the offence, some countries may still approve your application. If you believe the conviction qualifies for expungement, seek legal advice before applying for the certificate.
Need Help With Your Police Clearance Apostille?
At Louwrens Koen Attorneys in Pretoria, we assist South Africans — both locally and abroad — with the apostille and legalisation of police clearance certificates for international use. Our office is located near DIRCO, which allows us to process your apostille application efficiently.
Contact us to get started, or reach us directly on WhatsApp at +27 73 686 9078.