What is a South African Certificate of Good Conduct?
A South African Certificate of Good Conduct is an official document issued by the Criminal Records and Crime Scene Management Center of the South African Police Service. It serves to confirm whether an individual has a criminal record in South Africa. This certificate is also known as a “Certificate of Good Conduct,” It serves as a key document for immigration authorities, overseas employers, universities, and government agencies to assess an applicant’s character and compliance with the law. Regardless of whether the applicant is a South African citizen, anyone who has resided in the country for more than 12 months must present this certificate when applying for immigration, work visas, permanent residency, study abroad, or certain professional qualifications. Applying for a South African Police Clearance Certificate
List of Required Documents
To apply for a South African Certificate of Good Conduct, you must prepare the following documents:
| Document Category | Specific Requirements |
|---|---|
| Application Form | Completed SAPS 91(a) form |
| Fingerprints | A complete set of fingerprints; must be taken using the SAPS 91(a) fingerprint card; new fingerprints must be provided for each application |
| Proof of Identity | South African citizens must provide a copy of their ID; foreign applicants must provide a copy of their passport |
| Proof of marriage | If you wish to display your maiden name, you must provide a copy of your marriage certificate |
| Proof of payment | Receipt for payment of the R190 application fee |
| Proof of address | Utility bill or bank statement issued within the last three months (for applicants within South Africa) |
SAPS does not currently accept scanned or digital fingerprints, so all application materials must be complete before they can be sent to the Criminal Records Center in Pretoria for review.
Application Process and Processing Time
In-Country Application: Applicants must visit the nearest SAPS police station with identification documents such as an ID card. An officer will collect fingerprints and assist in completing the SAPS 91(a) form. After paying the R190 application fee, the police station will forward all materials via internal mail to the Criminal Records Centre in Pretoria. The official processing time is 15 working days; however, due to a severe backlog (the CRC has over 52,000 pending applications), the actual waiting time may range from six to eight weeks, and for some applicants, it can extend to three to six months. Once an applicant receives a reference number, they can check the status of their application online via the SAPS website.
Overseas Applications: Applicants residing outside South Africa may visit a local police station or the nearest South African embassy/consulate to have their fingerprints taken. All documents, along with the payment receipt, should be mailed to the Pretoria Criminal Records Centre. Processing times for overseas applications are generally longer, so you should allow at least 3–6 months. You must also include a prepaid return envelope or shipping label with your documents so the certificate can be mailed back to you once it is issued.
Validity and International Use
The South African Certificate of No Criminal Conviction is valid for six months from the date of issuance. You must submit this certificate to immigration authorities, employers, or educational institutions within six months of issuance; otherwise, it will expire and you will need to reapply.
If the certificate is to be used outside of South Africa, you will typically need to obtain an Apostille. As South Africa is a signatory to the Hague Convention, applicants can submit the original certificate to the South African Department of International Relations and Cooperation to obtain Apostille certification, ensuring the certificate is recognized in the destination country.
