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Police clearance · Free South African guide

How to get a police clearance certificate for a job.

Some employers (security, education, care, finance and many overseas jobs) ask for a police clearance certificate. It's issued through SAPS.

  • Where to apply
  • What to bring
  • Plan for processing time
  • Track it with your applications
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Steps

  • Go to a SAPS police station (or an approved service channel listed by SAPS).
  • Bring your ID and the payment required by SAPS.
  • Your fingerprints are taken and sent to the SAPS Criminal Record Centre.
  • Track and collect your certificate as SAPS instructs.

Use the official source

Always check the latest information directly on SAPS (saps.gov.za). Rules, forms and dates change, and only the official site is final. SA CV Studio is independent and not linked to SAPS.

Scam warning

Real employers and government departments never ask you to pay for a job, an interview, training or a 'registration fee' to be shortlisted. If someone asks for money or your banking PIN, walk away and report it.

Free guides for this

More guides: Documents and registrations