South African Police Clearance Turnaround Time


 

South African Police Clearance Certificate Process Timelines Explained:




At some point, all South Africans need to obtain a South African Police Clearance Certificate to confirm their criminal history. While there are various methods for obtaining this important document, the SAPS365 Police Clearance remains the most reliable and widely accepted. This certificate is issued exclusively by the Criminal Record & Crime Scene Management Centre (CR & CSMC) in Pretoria.


What is the SAPS365 Police Clearance Certificate? 

The SAPS365 is an official South African Police Clearance Certificate that verifies whether you have any criminal records. This certificate is crucial for immigration, employment, and visa purposes, as it is the only official police clearance accepted by authorities worldwide.


How to Apply for a SAPS365 Police Clearance Certificate

To apply for a SAPS365 Police Clearance, you need to submit the following documents:

  1. Original Fingerprint Form
  2. SAPS Application Form
  3. Copy of Your Identification Documents (e.g., passport or South African ID)
  4. If applicable, a copy of your marriage certificate (if your maiden name is needed).

Once your documents are submitted, they go through a multi-step process that involves preparation, registration, scanning, and crosschecking before the Police Clearance is printed and signed by an authorized SAPS official.

The entire process can take several weeks to months, due to the volume of applications received by the Criminal Record Centre (CRC).


What Happens After You Submit Your Application?

Here’s an overview of the processing stages after you submit your SAPS365 Police Clearance application:

  1. Prepping: Upon receiving your application, a SAPS member verifies that all required documents are submitted and meet the necessary standards. Once approved, the application is moved to the process center with others.

  2. Registration: After prepping, the application is queued for registration. This step assigns an Enquiry/Reference Number to your application, which you can use to track your police clearance status online.

  3. Scanning: Your fingerprints are scanned using the AFIS and Crimcheck systems, which crosscheck your details against the National Criminal Records Database of South Africa (NCRDSA). Any criminal records are flagged during this process, and they will appear on your SAPS365 Police Clearance Certificate.

  4. Crosschecking: If any negative entries are found, the details are crosschecked with the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development (DoJ&CD). If no criminal record is found, your certificate will indicate a clean background.

  5. Printing: Once everything is confirmed, your certificate will be printed at the Criminal Record & Crime Scene Management Centre (CR & CSMC) in Pretoria. This certificate will contain a watermarked A4 page detailing your criminal record or confirming no criminal history.

  6. Signing Off: An authorized SAPS official will verify the information, sign, and stamp your certificate, making it official.

  7. Finalization: Your SAPS Police Clearance Certificate will be finalized and sent to the CRC Client Centre for collection. You will be notified via SMS (if in South Africa) once your certificate is ready.


Why Does the Process Take So Long?

The processing time for the South African Police Clearance can be frustratingly slow. This is mainly due to:

  • The large volume of applications processed daily by the CRC (sometimes exceeding 1,000 applications per day).
  • System failures, office closures, and load shedding which impact processing times.
  • Backlogs caused by occasional delays and disruptions in processing.

As of now, the SAPS365 Police Clearance turnaround time stands at approximately 15 days for applications, but it can take longer depending on various factors.


How to Expedite Your Police Clearance Certificate

For those in urgent need of their SAPS365, expedited processing is possible, but only under certain conditions. Here’s how you can speed up the process:

  • Employment or Education Purposes: If you need your clearance for employment or tertiary education, you can submit supporting documents, such as an employment contract, job offer, or letter from your employer. This can help reduce the processing time to 15-20 business days, subject to approval from the CRC.

Is There an Express Police Clearance Option?

There is no express SAPS Police Clearance option. Private companies offering express services are often misleading clients, charging excessive fees for non-viable claims. The only legitimate options are the standard processing or expedited processing for employment or education purposes.


How to Apply for Your SAPS365 Police Clearance from Abroad

If you are living outside South Africa, there are several ways to submit your application for a SAPS365 Police Clearance:

  1. Courier your application directly to the Criminal Record Centre (CRC).
  2. Ask a family member or friend in South Africa to submit your application on your behalf.
  3. Use a document procurement company that specializes in submitting and collecting documents for applicants abroad. This method offers regular updates and reduces the stress of tracking your application.

Need Help Applying for Your Police Clearance?

If you need assistance with your SAPS365 Police Clearance Certificate application, contact us today. We offer professional services to help you navigate the process, ensuring that your application is processed correctly and quickly.


[Click here to start your SAPS365 Police Clearance application today!]

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