How to Check Criminal Record in South Africa

Knowing how to check criminal record in South Africa is important when you need official confirmation of your criminal status for employment, immigration, travel, or other formal purposes. The South African Police Service (SAPS) provides a Police Clearance Certificate, which is an official document confirming whether criminal convictions have been recorded against an individual.

1. Apply for a Police Clearance Certificate

The official way to confirm your criminal record is to apply for a Police Clearance Certificate through SAPS Criminal Record and Crime Scene Management.

The certificate provides confirmation of whether criminal convictions have been recorded against you.

• Complete the Police Clearance Certificate application
• Provide your correct personal information
• Make sure all required documents are included

2. Have Your Fingerprints Taken

You will need to provide a full set of fingerprints as part of the application.

If you are in South Africa, the fingerprints should be taken by SAPS at a police station.

• Visit a police station
• Take your identity document or passport
• Have your fingerprints recorded

3. Provide Your Identification Documents

Submit a certified copy of your South African ID or passport with the application.

You must also present the original document when required for identity verification.

• Provide a certified copy
• Present the original ID or passport
• Check that your personal details are correct

4. Pay the Application Fee

SAPS currently lists the prescribed Police Clearance Certificate fee as R190 per application.

Keep your proof of payment and include it with your application.

• Pay the required fee
• Keep your proof of payment
• Use the correct payment reference where required

5. Submit the Application

Applicants living in South Africa can request their police station to forward the completed application to Criminal Record and Crime Scene Management in Pretoria. You can also deliver the application personally or use a postal or courier service.

Make sure the application is complete because incomplete applications may not be processed.

• Submit the completed application
• Include fingerprints and identification documents
• Keep your application reference number

6. Check the Status of Your Application

After submitting your application, you can check its progress through the SAPS Police Clearance Certificate enquiry service.

You can use your enquiry number together with the required identification details to check whether your application has been finalised.

• Keep your enquiry number
• Check the SAPS enquiry service
• Monitor the application until it is finalised

Also Read: How to Check Balance on RCS Card