Getting an urgent police clearance certificate (PCC) can often be a more complicated process than many South Africans imagine. Seeing that SAPS have been experiencing major backlogs in issuing PCCs, many South Africans are left wondering how long it will take to obtain a police clearance certificate if they need one in a rush. We also have many inquiries about how to check a Police Clearance status for an application made in person with SAPS.
Navigate the process of obtaining and verifying your South African Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) with ease. This guide explains the steps involved in checking your Police Clearance status, whether you’ve applied through SAPS or are seeking an expedited service. Ideal for South Africans at home or abroad needing urgent PCCs, we cover all you need to know about this essential document
In this post, we will look at how South Africans can verify the status of their application and how to expedite issuing of their certificate.
Checking a Police Clearance status in South Africa
If you have already applied for your PCC, you can perform a basic check on the SAPS website. If your application cannot be found, feel free to get in touch with us so we can assist you in the matter. We can also expedite issuing of your certificate if you applied for it in person through a local police station or embassy.
How to apply for an urgent Police Clearance Certificate from South Africa
Anyone that wants to apply for an urgent SAPS Police Clearance needs to submit a completed application form as well as proof of their identity (a certified copy of your South African ID document or passport) along with a complete set of fingerprints. This applies only if you have not yet applied for a PCC from SAPS.
A police officer or SAPS employee will assist you in taking your fingerprints if you apply at your local police station. But you can actually have your fingerprints taken anywhere and your form stamped by any lawyer, commissioner of oaths, and sometimes even a company or school representative. They must attest that the fingerprints on the form are in fact yours.
Should you wish to arrange an urgent police clearance certificate for South Africa through us, you can have your fingerprints done at your nearest police station, fingerprinting company, etc. and after this, we will handle your documents directly with the Pretoria Criminal Records Centre (CRC). You may also choose to have your document/s returned by in-person collection or via local or international courier.
How long does it take to obtain an urgent Police Clearance Certificate from SAPS?
Applying in person may see your clearance certificate take up to 3 months if you apply from within SA. It can take anywhere between 3 and 6 months to get processed if you apply from abroad. According to the Criminal Records Centre (CRC), their processing times vary from the day on which the application was submitted, which is very confusing.
Here at Apostil.co.za, we can help you obtain your urgent police clearance certificate in between 5 and 7 working days. If you are lucky, that timeframe can be reduced even more to just three working days. Apostil.co.za’s record for the fastest issuing of a clearance certificate is under 24 hours! We always quote a turnaround time estimated on actual completed instructions.
In special cases, it may be possible to further speed up obtaining a PCC from South Africa (extreme urgent police clearance South Africa). Conversely, please note that delays are possible due to SAPS experiencing loadshedding, employee COVID cases, etc. or if someone has a criminal record (this increases timing by up to a month). Errors on the certificate (name misspellings, etc.) can also be corrected faster through our service than by doing it alone.
Final thoughts
An expedited Police Clearance for South Africa is a document we can help you obtain faster and more securely than if you were to try and do it on your own, from within South Africa or from abroad. Simply fill in one of our inquiry forms, and we will get back to you very quickly to start the process.
Securing a Police Clearance Certificate in South Africa doesn’t have to be a daunting task. With the right guidance and support, you can efficiently obtain your PCC, whether through standard channels or expedited services. Apostil.co.za offers a streamlined approach to ensure you receive your clearance in a timely manner, helping you move forward with your plans without unnecessary delays.
Ready to Simplify Your Documentation Process?
Apostil.co.za can assist you in getting your South African Police Clearance (PCC) in between 5 and 7 working days of applying (excluding courier time). We can also have it apostilled quickly.
📞 Call us today at +27 21 825 9940 or +27 11 083 9830
📧 Email: clients@apostil.co.za
My husband and I did our fingerprints at SAPS Tableview Cape Town on 23 March 2023 but have not had any feedback and on the SAPS website nothing has been captured. We need it for New Zealand VISA
We can certainly assist you. Did you receive an SMS or notification with your reference number? If not, you may have to apply anew.
I have applied for police clearance from Bloemfontein and urgently need it to process visa. Please assist I am starting work at UFS but have to have visa
We’ve contacted you to assist, thank you.
I sent my application for an expungement last year already I never got feedback. Can you help me please
Hi
Need assistance, I applied for PCC been two months now and still nothing. I have one day left which is tomorrow to submit this document.
I have the receipt as a proof of application.
Can you please assist.
I have applied through a recruitment he did apply in person in Pretoria on November 14. Since now I haven’t found any outcome. Wen I applied I didn’t wrote a south African mobile number as I’m in saudi arabia I wrote my international number that’s why I didn’t receive reference number could u please able to find reference number or a speedy outcome please do let me know
Hi. I received an SMS to confirm that my PCC is been done. I requested a courier company to pick it up for me as I’m staying far from Pretoria they told him there’s nothing to be picked up. Which office does he need to go to because I need it it’s urgent please help.
Yes, with a reference number, we can usually assist.
I receive an sms to say my police clearance is finalized the 14th July and I applied for one the 17th of may and I still didn’t receive my police clearance. Ref no. [redacted]
We can assist to speed it up – please contact us on email.
Good day,
If I have already received an SMS with reference, how do I check the status of my PCC?
I received the SMS on the 15/04/2022…
Regards
You will need the reference number when you call SAPS to check on the status.
Goodmorning,
I have applied for PCC on the 17th April but i received 2 SMS notifications and when i went to fetch it, i was told it has not arrived and i must come again, ive been following up but to no avail. It is needed urgently, and im not sure weather i can get a reprint or do another PCC
Good day
we did apply for our pcc but did not receive any confirmation that they received it what can we do please help
Sadly, you need some sort of proof that you applied. Without that, you may have to re-apply. Make sure to pay the right amount and include the right paperwork, information and contact details. If you need help, contact us to do the application speedily!
I applied an don’t mind waiting but I do need it now ASAP to secure a job in America.. How can you assist an how much is it to attain it quick
We can expedite for you – please contact us right away on clients@apostil.co.za or call into our offices.
Hi there, I applied for my police clearance certificate in the beginning of April 2023. I have received a reference number but on the website it says there’s nothing to be collected and it hasn’t arrived at the police station yet. I need it ASAP as I’m relocating to South Korea at the end of June.
What can I do?
Contact us with the reference number and we can assist.
How long does it take for the PCC to expire?
Good day, my fiance did her fingerprints and submitted the application for Police clearance and received the first SMS on the 3rd of May 2023 but she has not had any feedback and on the SAPS website nothing has been captured. We urgently need the clearance by Friday, as we will be getting married over the weekend.
Would you by any chance be able to assist? Thank you in advance.
Possibly, yes, we would require the reference number for your SAPS police clearance application. Otherwise you would need to resubmit and this would likely take past Friday.
Good day
What is the cost to get the police Clearance speedily?I have reference.
Good morning, I applied for my police clearance and sent it 17March.
I got an sms to show it was received but up to date, I haven’t received it
Definitely, with your SMS reference number, we can almost certainly assist.
Hi i submitted my pcc application on the 17 of May and received my reference number but now i just need some assistance in getting it faster as i want to leave the country by the end of August
Hi,i reciecived the first sms jun 13 2023, but never recieved the second sms
Good day
I received an sms that my police clearance has been finalized. Does that mean I can send my courier company to Pretoria to pick it up or do I have to wait for another sms to say I need to collect ?
Usually it takes a few days from that message, but yes, you can send one there.
Hi please can someone assist me I have sent my fingerprints to Pretoria it’s going 4 weeks now I only received the 1st sms and I cannot get hold of them I need to know is there any possibility of me getting it faster I have 15 days left to receive this
Contact us to assist with your reference number, to speed it up.
Hello I have applied for a police clearance 3 weeks back an have received an sms with a reference number but when I try to check online the progress nothing is shown or found related to my reference number and Id and I need it asap can you assit
Pop us an email on clients@apostil.co.za. We can expedite it with the reference number.
Hi, I would like to make an enquiry on the police clearance I made on the 14th June in Pretoria… how do I check if it is out. I need it urgently as I have to start work.
Regards
Bokang
If you have a SMS reference number, we can speed it up that way. Please contact us via email.
Please advice if you can speed up my clearance Ref number – 2023475721
Sure, please email us on info@apostil.co.za if we haven’t been in touch already.
I’ve submitted the application for a PCC on 23 August 2023. I have received an sms with the reference number, but haven’t received any correspondence from them. I need this document extremely urgently. No one told me about an urgent PCC when I applied.
Simply engage with us and we can have the current PCC application expedited.
i did clearence on 2023 i still wait for certificate