Applying for a visa? Moving abroad? There are many reasons why you may need to apply for a Police Clearance Certificate (PCC). What you might not know is that the South African Police Service (SAPS) recently changed the police clearance certificate application process. Here’s what you should know…

Getting your police clearance certificate

This might be the first time you read about police clearance certificates. If so, then it’s worth knowing two things:

• A police clearance certificate (PCC) is a document issued by the SAPS Criminal Record Centre. It contains details of any criminal offences recorded against the applicant
• Unless you want to go through the lengthy process of submitting your PCC application through your local police station, SC Fingerprinting will process your  police clearance application on your behalf – with the added benefits of speed and efficiency.

Now before we continue, it’s important to distinguish between a police clearance certificate, and a criminal/fingerprint clearance.

A Police Clearance Certificate is best suited for travel, and requires a hard copy of your fingerprints.

Criminal/Fingerprint Clearances, on the other hand, are more suited for use within South African borders (such as applying for or renewing SACE registration, KZN Liquor Board application or a pre-employment criminal record check), and can be completed by means of electronic fingerprint submission within 24 hours. 

The SAP Police Clearance Certificate application requires that you follow the process outlined below:

1. Visit your nearest SAPS station and state that you wish to apply for a police clearance certificate.
2. Remember to take your ID or passport and R150 per application.
3. You will be directed to the relevant SAPS member assigned to police clearance certificate applications.
4. Your fingerprints will be taken to complete form 91a (the police clearance fingerprint form)
5. A copy of your ID or passport will be made, and attached to the application

Once you have followed the above process, contact us and we will talk you through how to get the prints etc to us in order for us to apply on your behalf.

Expert advice & consultation

Applying through your local police station is a risk you probably shouldn’t take if you are in any kind of rush for your certificate.

Expert advice and guidance on the application process is now available to anyone in need of assistance with their police clearance certificate applications. After all, while the process may seem pretty straightforward, experience suggests it can be anything but, and seasoned expertise may be just what you need to move things along a little faster.

Contact us to assist you:

• Danielle on 076 691 4997                                                                     dan@scfingerprinting.co.za
• Grant (Police Clearance Applications and Expungements) on 082 883 3537 grant@scfingerprinting.co.za