How South African Police Clearance Certificates Work – a Guide

The process of getting a South African Police Clearance Certificate can seem complicated and lengthy at first glance, but with the right information on hand and the help of a trusted service provider, it needn’t be a hassle!

South African Police Clearance Certificates (PCCs) are vital documents that indicate whether or not you have a criminal record against your name. In most cases, South Africans must submit these documents when applying for visas and immigration application processes as a means for officials in foreign countries to verify that they have a clear criminal record before they are allowed to enter their countries. PCCs are issued by the South African Police Service (SAPS).

Many countries also refer to the police clearance as a “certificate of good standing” or “good conduct certificate”. So, how does the process of obtaining a PCC work? Is a police clearance certificate the same as a background check, and more importantly, how long does it take to obtain the document? This article will help you better understand how, when, and where to apply for a South African police clearance certificate.

Is a criminal background check the same as a police clearance certificate?

The short answer is no. Criminal background checks cannot be used for official purposes or immigration applications. Background checks merely verify whether someone has an existing criminal record, but no formal certificates are issued with these checks.

Background checks are generally done by Afiswitch and may be requested by banks and recruitment agencies when verifying sound character. These fingerprint checks are checked against details stored in the SAPS Criminal Records Centre’s database and can quickly determine if a person has convictions against their name.

Understanding South African Police Clearance Certificates

Police clearance certificates are formal records that state if a person has a criminal conviction against their name. If the person does have a criminal record, the document will also display the details of such crime.

Unlike background checks, police clearance certificates are issued once the Criminal Records Center has performed several verification steps and checks. Some markets that are used to issue a PCC include your South African Identification Number and a complete set of your fingerprints.